Priority testing will be extended to all children attending school, the education secretary has said.

Addressing MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, Gavin Williamson said tests will be available for all pupils who attend school and are displaying symptoms, as well as their families.

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Asked by Richard Holden, Conservative MP for North West Durham, if he could confirm that any children going back to school will be eligible for testing and tracing, Mr Williamson said: “We already have priority testing for all teachers and those who work in schools if they have symptoms of coronavirus.

“This priority testing will be extended to all children who attend school and if they are displaying symptoms, as well as their families.

“We recognise how important test and trace is in terms of beating this pandemic.”