The leader of South Gloucestershire's Liberal Democrat group has called for all primary schools in the area to closed.

Cllr Claire Young has said the schools should move to remote learning until at least January 18.

She said: "It is clear that the Government has failed to get on top of the spread of the new variant of the virus.

"Throughout the pandemic, the Government has dithered and delayed making necessary and inevitable decisions.

“Many parents and teachers have been calling for schools to remain closed this week since before the holidays, and yet still this Government is saying that schools outside London must reopen as normal.

"It is impossible to believe that, given what we now know about how quickly and easily the new variant of the virus spreads, transmission will be brought under control and safety of staff and students can be ensured without a temporary closure of schools.

“By refusing to make unpalatable decisions until the last minute, the Government is letting down teachers, parents and most importantly students. Without knowing whether or not schools will reopen, teachers are unable to plan how best to deliver education, parents do not know if they will be able to go to work and children are left in limbo.

"Locally and nationally the Liberal Democrats are calling on Government to act now.”

In response, a spokesman for South Gloucestershire Council said: “Classroom learning is best for young people’s educational outcomes as well as for their mental health and wellbeing, which is why we will continue to work with school staff to make sure this can be safely provided to every young person in South Gloucestershire.

"We have and will continue to respond to our local area data, currently we remain in Tier 3, with rates of transmission below the national level.

"The rates are also below areas where the DfE and some other councils have taken the decision to keep schools closed to Primary age pupils.

"We will continue to keep the situation in schools under constant review and will also continue to work with and support headteachers and school communities to ensure that schools remain as safe as possible.

"Schools will continue to ensure that vulnerable young people and the children of key and frontline workers are able to be taught in school and that for any pupil for whom classroom learning is not possible, that high quality remote learning continues to be provided.”

Boris Johnson will address the nation at 8pm today, where he will announce new measures to combat coronavirus.