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Kemi Badenoch has launched a furious outburst with schools set to close again today ahead of the funeral for one of the teenagers killed in the A66 wrong-way crash. Taking to X the Conservative leader said it is “obscene that this is happening again” adding that is it “the duty of government to keep schools open”.

She then went on to blast Lucy Powell, Labour’s Education Secretary for “allowing gang violence to dictate the lives of law-abiding citizens”.

Badenoch said: “Lucy Powell should be ashamed that she has refused to intervene. This sets a terrible precedent and sends a message to criminals and thugs across the country that this Labour government is too weak to keep its people safe from them.”

Badenoch added that the decision was “a kick in the teeth” for police officers being asked to protect parents, teachers and children from “the very thugs involved in the violence that killed two of their own”.

The Tory leader went on to say that while it was “bad enough” that schools had closed early the previous week, it was “completely unfathomable” that the Labour government had failed to prevent further closures this week.

She warned: “If they don’t act now, this will only get worse.”

Middlesbrough Council said several schools in the area will once again close early for Theo Rae’s funeral today “based on the possibility of localised traffic disruption leading to delays later in the afternoon”.

Outwood Academy Acklam will close at 12.15pm and Newham Bridge Primary School at 1pm.

Acklam Whin Primary School and Green Lane School will close at 1.15pm after pupils receive their lunch.

In a letter to parents, Newham Bridge Primary School said the closure was to “ensure safe transit home for all our families”.

Outwood Academy Acklam said the decision was made “after careful consideration of the potential impact on pupils, staff and families travelling to and from the school”.

School closures also sparked criticism on Friday after neighbouring schools in South Bank closed early for the funeral of Jakub Matusiak.

Conservative MP Laura Trott said schools “should stay open for children to learn”.