Commenting on a new policy briefing from the Sutton Trust which considers the closure of the National Tutoring Programme and tackling the attainment gap, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Our current school system works against disadvantaged students in almost every way. Teacher shortages, unfair funding arrangements and an inappropriate curriculum have created a deepening crisis. The government has always failed to recognise the impact of Covid. Cutting the National Tutoring Programme would be a final abandonment of those communities and children most deeply affected by the pandemic. The consequences of such a decision would be felt for generations."