Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with trade unions involved in sustained strike activity at educational bodies.

Strike action is damaging to pupils’ education and the department encourages unions and employers to work together constructively to resolve disputes. Through the department’s ‘Handling strike action in schools’ guidance, we provide advice to headteachers to take all reasonable steps to keep schools open for as many pupils as possible and minimise the impact on children’s education. Departmental officials and ministers regularly engage with trade unions on a wide range of issues, including matters relating to the workforce and supporting good industrial relations.