Boris Johnson hints two-metre rule could be scrapped for schools

Teaching unions warn schools will be unable to reopen fully under current social distancing guidance

Boris Johnson has hinted that the two-metre social distancing rule could be reduced in schools, saying: "Watch this space".

As Northern Ireland announced plans to reduce social distancing to one metre in schools, the prime minister gave a strong indication that England could follow suit in easing the strict rules.

The government has been under pressure from business groups and Tory MPs to scrap the two metre rule amid fears that sectors such as hospitality will be decimated by the rules.

Teaching unions also warned that schools will be unable to reopen fully under the current social distancing guidance due to shortages of classroom space and staff.

Speaking during a school visit in Hertfordshire on Friday, Mr Johnson said: "Of course, on the social distancing measures, as I've said, 'watch this space'.

"We will be putting in further changes as the science allows.

"I think that's what the public also wants to see, they want to see us working with the reality."

The prime minister said it was "absolutely" his intention that children of all ages should be able to return to school by the autumn on a five-day-a-week basis, amid growing pressures on the government over the botched return to the classroom.

He said: "Let me be very clear - I want a world in which, as far as possible, provided we can make classrooms safe and I think we can, I want every child, every pupil, every student, back in September. I'm sure we can get it done."

Mr Johnson added: "We have to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease.

"Yes it has been a horrible shock for the country and for the world, and I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down.

"But we are starting to make some real progress with test and trace, with treatments for the disease, and I hope, as we go forward into the autumn, people will be much, much more confident."

It comes as the UK's chief medical officers agreed to downgrade the coronavirus alert level after a "steady" and continuing decrease in cases.

Mr Johnson said the number of people with Covid-19 was now around one in 1,760, compared to a few weeks ago when it was around one in 1,000 people.

"So it is really diminishing among us all and that's the most important thing," he said.

"That will allow us, as the alert level comes down, to start making some progress, as I've said, on our plan and on social distancing measures."

His comments came as education leaders criticised the government's £1 billion plan to help pupils catch up with learning after months away from the classroom.

Head teachers said they were not consulted on plans to give the most disadvantaged children in England given access to funds to pay for tutors.

College and nursery leaders were angered after their pupils were left out of the scheme which promises £650 million to state primary and secondary schools for the 2020-21 academic year.

Former Liberal democrat minister David Laws, who chairs the Education Policy Institute (EPI) think tank, said the catch-up plan was "poorly targeted" and unlikely to prevent a large increase in the disadvantaged gap.