Gavin Williamson

2023 - 3 - 2

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Morning Star Online"

Teaching unions hit out at Sir Gavin Williamson's 'contemptible ... (Morning Star Online)

Leaked messages show the then-education secretary accused staff of looking for an excuse not to work during the pandemic.

Money from shares contributes directly to keep our paper thriving. Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the comments were a “kick in the teeth for teachers who stretched ever sinew for children during the pandemic.” “Given the current dispute with the Department for Education over teacher pay, we sincerely hope (current Education Secretary) Gillian Keegan does not share this attitude and gets around the table to discuss a resolution to the pay dispute.” Sir Gavin said today that he had not been criticising teachers but “some unions,” adding: “I have the utmost respect for teachers who work tirelessly to support students.” Earlier in May, Sir Gavin had messaged Mr Hancock asking for his help in securing personal protective equipment (PPE) for schools so a lack of such equipment could not be used “as a reason not to open.” TEACHING unions hit out at “contemptible” comments by Sir Gavin Williamson today after leaked messages showed the then-education secretary accusing staff of looking for an excuse not to work during the pandemic.

Teachers say Gavin Williamson pandemic texts reveal 'secret ... (The Guardian)

Teaching unions react with fury to leaked Matt Hancock messages they say show 'appalling lack of respect'

“It’s very clear to me that children were not given the priority they should have been. The shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said the leaked comments were “a kick in the teeth” for teachers who stretched every sinew for children during the pandemic. “I have the utmost respect for teachers who work tirelessly to support students. “It was an absolute shambles and the two individuals involved in these snide insults were at the heart of that shambles,” said Barton. We all in government hold teachers in the highest regard, both during the pandemic and in normal times as well. The timing of this latest leak will not be helpful to the Department for Education.

Labour attacks Sir Gavin Williamson over teachers 'insult' in leaked ... (BBC News)

The then education secretary appears to question teachers' work ethic in leaked pandemic texts.

We do value the work they do." "I have the utmost respect for teachers who work tirelessly to support students," he wrote. "What a bunch of absolute arses the teaching unions are." He added: "We are keen to speak to the school unions. It was a huge debate going on, very snarky debate about whether face coverings should or shouldn't be worn. Here are our stories on the leaks:

Matt Hancock leaks: Gavin Williamson's comments about teachers ... (iNews)

The leaked text exchange between Sir Gavin Williamson and former health secretary Matt Hancock ignited fury from teaching unions, who claimed they showed ...

People say things in the heat of the moment on WhatsApp that they don’t really believe.” Mr Hancock had given her access to the messages while she was helping him write his memoir Pandemic Diaries. [Sir Gavin complaining to former chief whip Wendy Morton](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/gavin-williamson-biggest-controversies-minister-text-message-bullying-claims-huawei-leak-1958389?ico=in-line_link) that MPs who were not “favoured” by Liz Truss were being excluded from the Queen’s funeral. [leaked text exchange](https://inews.co.uk/news/education/matt-hancock-leaks-gavin-williamson-claimed-teachers-looking-excuse-avoid-2182074?ico=in-line_link) between him and former health secretary Matt Hancock showed the pair describing teachers as finding an “excuse” not to work during the Covid crisis. [lambasting teaching unions during the pandemic](https://inews.co.uk/news/education/matt-hancock-leaks-gavin-williamson-claimed-teachers-looking-excuse-avoid-2182074?ico=in-line_link) prove that the Tory MP is a “strange man”, a fellow former education secretary has said. [heavy criticism](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/gavin-williamson-biggest-controversies-minister-text-message-bullying-claims-huawei-leak-1958389?ico=in-line_link) for his handling of the Covid crisis in schools, including a fiasco surrounding school exams and a series of U-turns over the Government’s free school meal policy.

Insult teaching unions, Gavin Williamson, and you attack all teachers (New Statesman)

Doesn't he know we unionise precisely because of the dire conditions he created for schools?

They are a way to ensure that, collectively, our voices are heard and our labour and expertise is recognised for what they are: vital. Contrary to what the government wants the public to believe, teachers are not simply greedy for more time off. It is to attack our rights, our access to fair pay and to equitable treatment at work.

Gavin Williamson said teaching unions 'really hate work' in message ... (The Independent)

Mr Hancock, then health secretary, was also involved in a bitter behind-the-scenes clash with Sir Gavin over moves to keep schools open during the Covid ...

“I received a somewhat menacing message from him at 1.20 in the morning,” she told TalkTV’s Piers Morgan Uncensored. The PM’s official spokesman said that Rishi Sunak “hugely values our hard-working teachers who did so much during the pandemic to help minimise disruption to children’s education”. I know he holds teachers in the highest regard,” said the minister. “I think [Mr Williamson] was talking about the union, but I don’t think he believes that either. “Looking back now, I wonder whether I should have resigned at that point. And for that we must now fight a rear-guard action.”

Sir Gavin Williamson blames 'unions not teachers' for schools fiasco ... (expressandstar.com)

Sir Gavin Williamson insists a series of leaked messages show he was blaming unions and not teachers for attempting to keep schools closed during the ...

When you faced with that level of reluctance to do the reasonable thing it is very difficult to work in partnership with people." I sadly ended up not winning that argument but I firmly believe it was still the right thing for me to do. "They simply didn't want to see a return to the classroom. "I didn't go and brief about discussions with colleagues or anything like that. "At all times my priority was children's education," he said. "For me, the whole focus was to do everything possible to make sure that those children could get back in the classroom.