Schools in Kent are being warned they may have to cancel formal lessons to act as “carers” and prepare for food shortages as the result of any disruptions created by a no-deal Brexit.
The Government is stepping up it preparations in the event of the UK leaving the European Union without a deal despite EU leaders extending the country’s exit date until April 12.
Ministers will now hold daily no deal planning meetings as part of the Government’s Cobra emergency committee next week.
It comes as the Government confirmed it had given the green light to a team in a nuclear-proof bunker under the Ministry of Defence to give armed forces support should the UK leave without a deal.
Gridlock
According to the Guardian, schools in Kent have been advised to keep tabs on food supplies amid warnings that roads and public transport could be brought to a standstill as a result of heavy congestion across the county as a result of “panic buying” by the public.
Schools are also being advised they may need to help children who become “stranded” if their parents are trapped in traffic due to expected tailbacks.
Kent will be the worst affected county when it comes to traffic congestion should the 11,000 lorries that pass through Dover and Calais every day be subjected to longer customs checks in no deal is agreed between London and Brussels.
The local authority has suggested schools avoid closing and merge year groups to help parents who would ordinarily have to take time off their own work to look after their children.
Stranded children
The council says headteachers must consider the wider impact of closing their schools and the effect it would have on working parents.
“These parents may be in an occupation that provides a vital service to the community, (eg nurses, carers, bus and lorry drivers, social workers or even teachers).”
Similarly, teachers have been advised they may have to cancel after school plans to “remain on site to care for stranded children” should their parents become stuck in gridlocked roads or public transport.