Keeping phones out of lessons must come with funding, say Lib Dems

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to Department for Education plans to update guidance on mobile phones in schools, Liberal Democrat Schools Spokesperson, Caroline Voaden MP, said:

"Stronger guidance for schools on mobile phone use is a positive step - there is no place for phones during the school day.

"Liberal Democrats are clear that it should be up to headteachers to decide how they keep phones out of reach of pupils. This can obviously come at a cost, so the Government must ensure all schools have the necessary funding, rather than expecting schools to meet the cost when budgets are already stretched to breaking point.

“There must also be safeguards to ensure pupils with SEND needs or caring responsibilities still have access to a phone if they need one.”

ENDS