Northamptonshire head teachers blast suppliers hiking hand sanitiser prices during coronavirus outbreak

Suppliers have hiked their prices to schools in recent weeks according to two Northants headteachers.
Head at Manor School Sports College in Raunds Jay Davenport said prices have hiked to 17 a bottle.Head at Manor School Sports College in Raunds Jay Davenport said prices have hiked to 17 a bottle.
Head at Manor School Sports College in Raunds Jay Davenport said prices have hiked to 17 a bottle.

A Northamptonshire headteacher has called on the Government to make schools a priority when it comes to hand sanitiser amid national shortages.

Head at Wootton Primary Jamie Nairn has taken to Twitter to express concerns about not being able to get any sanitiser for his school. And head of Manor School Sports College in Raunds Jay Davenport has also tweeted that his school’s regular supplier has hiked prices in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

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Official government advice is for people to wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds regularly in order to rid their hands of the virus. Shops shelves have been stripped of hand sanitiser in recent weeks with the product now out of stock in most places. Official figures say that nine people in Northamptonshire have coronavirus. Follow our live blog here.While schools have been closed in the Republic of Ireland on their Government orders the UK Government is still asking schools to remain open. The situation may change in coming days or weeks as the Government’s response progresses.

Mr Nairn has tweeted over the weekend: “I’m ok with keeping my school open. But can’t get hand sanitiser anywhere, struggling to get hand wash & paper towels. If we stay open for quite a while govt need to help schools become a priority to get these supplies.”

In a later tweet he mentioned a meeting between the Department for Education and unions and asked those attending to ‘please ask them to consider supporting schools getting supplies of hand wash & paper towels – without being ripped off by suppliers.

.. for schools when staff have to self isolate, clarity over not just Ofsted but also all assessment: right from EYFS GLD up to GCSE/A Level and everything in between. Schools want to help – we just need to support and clear advice.”

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Mr Davenport tweeted on Friday: “Our regular school supplier has started charging £17 for hand sanitiser this week. Cheers.”

Head Jamie Cairns has called on the government to ensure hand sanitizer supply to schools.Head Jamie Cairns has called on the government to ensure hand sanitizer supply to schools.
Head Jamie Cairns has called on the government to ensure hand sanitizer supply to schools.

Hand sanitiser is one of the essentials in the global fight against coronavirus.

In France, luxury clothing and perfume company LVMH has stopped all production of cosmetics and turned its attention to making hydro-alcoholic which it will distribute free of charge to French health authorities.