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 28 November 2023
Good morning,
Today, I have launched a consultation on minimum service levels in the event of strike action, and I want to invite you to share your views on what this could look like for schools, colleges, and universities. I want to work with you to design a policy that will help us protect children and young people’s education whilst balancing an individual’s right to strike.
I understand that the last few years have been challenging for you and I know you’ve worked incredibly hard to make sure children and young people are getting the support they need in the face of the disruption they’ve experienced.
The last thing I want to see is anything that would risk undoing that progress, which is why I’ve held a series of talks with trade unions in the schools and further education sectors. It has always been my desire to minimise disruption from strike action through a voluntary agreement. Unfortunately, we have not been able to achieve significant progress during these discussions so that protections for education are in place for the next academic year.
During the consultation period, I remain open to further conversations with the education unions and to discussing any proposals they may have to safeguard our children’s education in the event of strike action.
Through the consultation, I want to get your views and I also want to hear from parents, learners, employers and other sector leaders as they all have a stake in the outcome – please do share the consultation and invite them to respond. The consultation will be open for 9 weeks, between 28 November and 30 January 2024.
The consultation features two options:
- The first option focuses on prioritising attendance for vulnerable children and young people; exam groups; and children of critical workers.
- The second option focuses on prioritising all pupils in primary school, and priority cohorts in secondary and Further Education settings.
- The consultation also seeks to gather evidence on the impacts of strike action in higher education, and the case for minimum service levels covering this sector.
I know that many schools used the Handling Strike Action in Schools guidance to prioritise groups during last year’s industrial action. I believe there are benefits for having a formalised set of standards to ensure consistency across the country and clear expectations during strikes. The consultation will provide us with information on the best solution. I remain committed to ensuring any minimum service level balances the ability of individuals to strike with the rights of children to receive an education.
Finally, I want to thank you once again for everything you have done and continue to do to support our children and young people.
Yours sincerely,
 The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP
Secretary of State for Education
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