Michael Gove has insisted England's schools are safe to reopen, but acknowledged that "you can never eliminate risk".
Mr Gove told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show the key was to make schools safe with smaller classes and staggered arrivals.
The government has set out plans to begin a phased reopening of primary schools in England from next month.
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Hundreds of English schools still at risk from crumbling concrete
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Thousands of young people placed in council care more than 20 miles away from home, analysis shows
A third of children in council care in 2023 lived over 20 miles away from their local area, school and family – around 4,600 people in total.
£600m boost for social care next year announced in Budget
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