It comes amid growing concerns over special schools and nurseries remaining fully open
'Whilst in principle we don't like the idea of free schools, basically, this was the only game in town to get this particular facility for autism into the city.'
If parents fail to apply, their child could miss out on a school place
From next week many families will be able to get supermarket vouchers instead
'Yes, there are issues. Yes, there are challenges. But the schools definitely don't feel that these things are insurmountable.'
It could form part of the mass testing plan for schools
The move is against government guidance to keep early years settings open
Donations of devices and data are needed to the Greater Manchester Tech Fund
He says families should be given cash payments to choose their own food
The government has since pledged to reintroduce the national voucher scheme
