ALL schools and colleges in the UK will be closed for the forseeable from Friday afternoon, the prime minister announced in a landmark coronavirus conference.

The prime minister has taken the monumental step following pressure from parents across the country as the death toll from coronavirus in the UK passes the 100 mark.

Boris Johnson did not give a definitive answer on how long the closure could last but Scottish minister Nicola Sturgeon has proposed it could last up to six months.

The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Yorkshire currently stands at four.

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Boris Johnson said: "We think now that we must apply further downward pressure with that upward curve by closing the schools.

"After schools shut their gates to most pupils, they will remain closed to the majority of pupils."

The only pupils asked to attend school will be those who are vulnerable or children of key workers.

A full list of who constitutes as a key worker will be revealed tomorrow but education secretary Gavin Williamson revealed in a brief speech that this includes NHS staff, delivery workers and police staff.

A voucher scheme will be introduced to make up for free school meals.

The PM also says nurseries and private schools will be asked to close and that the government will reimburse the cost.

The prime minister confirmed all exams will not take place as planned in May and June but gave little information of exactly how students will earn grades for their qualifications.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the education secretary also revealed performance tables would not be published.

It came after Co-Op Academy Southfield, in Haycliffe Lane, and Co-op Academy Delius, in Barkerend Road, were the first Bradford schools to announce full closures due to coronavirus on Tuesday evening.

Other schools had taken more precautionary measures by opting to restrict year groups.