Please would you both kindly state or provide a link to give evidence to back up your claims that the government is listening to the teaching unions in any meaningful way?
As has been pointed out many times, the government largely ignores the teaching unions. Do either of you think the government shut schools in January because of union pressure?
I wasn't suggesting the the government was listening to the unions, I was suggesting that if the unions wanted to protect their members the most then a good way to do that was the suggestion that I made.
It could be a way of limiting the impact of opening of schools without causing working parents too much of an issue (although there would still be some for whom it would be still be an issue if they didn't have access to other wrap around care however it would be much reduced).