THE Government is coming under pressure to change guidance on pupils wearing face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in schools - a move branded 'pandering to scientifically illiterate guff' by one Somerset MP.

Today, the Scottish Government confirmed pupils and staff at secondary schools would be required to wear masks when moving around - but not in classrooms.

In England, there were no such plans to introduce similar guidelines, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson who insisted 'schools are safe'.

However, he said the guidelines could change if medical advice was altered.

It comes after guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended the wearing of masks among young people aged 12 and older, with a risk-based approach for those aged between five and 11, and no recommendation for masks for those aged below five.

The WHO advice said: "Advice on mask use in children and adolescents 12 years or older should follow the WHO guidance for mask use in adults and/or the national mask guidelines for adults."

Meanwhile, teaching unions have urged Westminster to keep the guidance under review as evidence continues to emerge.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said: "We have to stay abreast of the science, so when the World Health Organisation says that children over 12 should wear masks in communal areas at school, that ought to be listened to.

"As things currently stand in England, the NEU believes it should be permissible for staff members and students to wear face masks if they wish to do so."

Mr Johnson said: "The overwhelming priority is to get all pupils into school.

"And I think that the schools, the teachers, they've all done a fantastic job of getting ready and the risk to children's health, the risk to children's wellbeing from not being in school, is far greater than the risk from Covid.

"If there are things we have to do to vary the advice on medical grounds, we will, of course, do that.

"But as the chief medical officer, all our scientific advisers, have said, schools are safe."

One Somerset MP is not backing guidelines encouraging young people to wear masks.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has taken to Twitter to hit out at the decision in Scotland - and any potential Downing Street u-turn.

"Scottish government is 100% wrong to do this to young people in school," he said. "No need whatsoever."

Later, retweeting a story indicating an imminent Government u-turn over advice for schools in England, Mr Fysh wrote: "No (Boris Johnson) this is utterly wrong.

"Masks should be banned in schools. The country should be getting back to normal not pandering to this scientifically illiterate guff."