The Department for Education is looking to ensure that there are defibrillators in all schools, Gavin Williamson announced today.

The education secretary said he hoped this would prevent more families from being visited by tragedy. He was speaking after meeting with a bereaved father who has campaigned on this issue.

The issue of defibrillators was raised in the House of Commons today as Mr Williamson was asked by Conservative MP Bob Blackman whether the devices would be provided for use in schools.

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Mr Williamson replied: “It was incredibly moving to speak to Mark King, listening to his tragic experience of losing his son, Oliver, and he was joined by [former Liverpool and England footballer] Jamie Carragher as well.”

Putting defibrillators in schools to save lives

Mr King founded the Oliver King Foundation after his son died after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.

“It really does focus the need for us to do as much as possible in order to encourage schools to have defibrillators,” said Mr Williamson. 

“That’s why we’ll be looking at changing the regulations that are underpinned by secondary legislation in order to ensure that all schools do have defibrillators in the future and hopefully prevent such tragedy visiting more families.”