Keir Starmer has firmly stated that children should attend school on Monday morning, despite the England football match against Mexico scheduled for 1am UK time. This response came after Thomas Tuchel, the head coach, encouraged parents to allow their children to stay up late to watch the game.
After England's recent victory over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which secured their place in the next round of the World Cup, Tuchel expressed his desire for young fans to support the team. He remarked, “Write an excuse for school and let them watch football. They have so much school to go to, but the World Cup is every four years.”
Starmer's Stand on Education
Starmer's spokesperson emphasized the importance of education, stating, “It is up to parents to make their own decisions. We want everyone to enjoy the game but children should be at school on Monday.” This sentiment was echoed by Jacqui Smith, the education minister, who suggested that young fans could take a “disco nap” on Sunday to ensure they are well-rested for school.
Smith stated, “I don’t want to be a killjoy, but I’ll tell you what the biggest killjoy is – young people who don’t have the learning to be able to go on and do what they need to do in life.”
Impact on Parents and Bookings
The debate around school attendance versus late-night football has led to a noted increase in demand for babysitting services. According to the babysitting app Bubble, there has been a 50% rise in Monday morning bookings as parents weigh their options between attending to their children’s education and allowing them to enjoy the match.
- 50% increase in babysitting bookings reported by Bubble
- Tuchel's call for children to watch the match
- Starmer and Smith advocate for education over late-night viewing
Possible Future Bank Holiday
As excitement builds around the World Cup, fans have been discussing the possibility of an emergency bank holiday on Monday to celebrate the match. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government mentioned that while they support the England team, the current holiday pattern is well established.
However, the spokesperson hinted that a bank holiday could be considered if England wins the World Cup. Starmer previously teased the idea of an extra bank holiday on 20 July, but he refrained from making any definitive announcements ahead of the tournament's outcome.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Guardian Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
