Government thanks flood-hit school staff

The government has said a public "Thank you" to all the staff who have been coping with floods in schools and nurseries.
About 250 schools had to be closed because of the floods, and some are still closed. Kingston on Hull was the worst affected place, with 91 schools closed.
Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, told parliament that the government was "very grateful to the committed staff in schools, early years and childcare settings and local authorities who have worked so hard to contain and reduce the effect of the floodwaters, to get many schools and early years settings back in use and to provide places in temporary or alternative accommodation where necessary."
Mr Balls said the government would set aside an extra £10 million to help schools and early years services recover from flood damage. Civil servants will work with local authorities to help as many schools as possible reopen next term. Where they cannot return to permanent accommodation, they will to try to make sure there are satisfactory temporary arrangements "so no child suffers educationally because of flood damage".