Damian Hinds has said skipping class will not help the environment but will add to teacher workload, as children across the UK prepare to walk out of school in support of the Youth Strike 4 Climate protests.

The education secretary said he wanted young people to be engaged with the issues affecting them, but emphasised this should not create extra work for teachers.

Thousands of children are expected to take part in UK-wide protests tomorrow.

Mr Hinds said: "I want young people to be engaged in key issues affecting them and involving themselves in causes they care about.

"But let me be clear, missing class won't do a thing to help the environment; all they will do is create extra work for teachers."

'Extra burden' on teachers

He added it was ultimately a matter for headteachers, but that he had repeatedly expressed he did not want teachers being burdened with extra workload.

"And that's exactly what these strikes would lead to," said Mr Hinds.

He claimed the government was taking "lots of action to combat climate change, £2.5 billion is being invested through the Industrial Strategy to support low carbon innovation in the UK".

"We do recognise that more needs to be done by all sections of society, which is why we have asked the Committee on Climate Change for advice on a net zero emissions target," he concluded.