Thousands of school kids risk costing parents £60 in fines after going truant

THOUSANDS of school kids walked out of class today in a mass climate change protest - that could see their parents fined £60.

Despite Britain leading the way on slashing greenhouse gases, armies of green day strikers played truant from school moaning that the Government are not doing enough.

But their teen eco-angst could hit their parents in the pocket with some furious school heads threatening £60 fines for unauthorised absence.

Youth Strike 4 Climate organisers say protests took place in 60 towns and cities across the country in the face of "an alarming lack of Government leadership" on climate change.

Theresa May slammed thousands of young people staging a mass walk-out, which blocked the road outside Parliament.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "Everybody wants young people to be engaged in the issues that affect them most so that we can build a brighter future for all of us.

"But it is important to emphasise that disruption increases teachers' workloads and wastes lesson time that teachers have carefully prepared for."

Students are demanding the Government declare a climate emergency and say young people should be involved in policy making as they have the biggest stake in the future.

That is despite Britain cutting greenhouse gases by 42 per cent since 1990 - faster than almost every other major nation.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds warned students not to miss lessons - but some councils backed the strikes.

He said: "Missing class won't do a thing to help the environment; all they will do is create extra work for teachers."

Anna Taylor, of UK Student Climate Network, said: "We're running out of time for meaningful change, and that's why we're seeing young people around the world rising up to hold their governments to account on their dismal climate records."

Energy minister Claire Perry told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I'm incredibly proud of the young people in the UK who are highly educated about this issue and feel very strongly.

But added: "I do hope that anyone missing school today does get their work and their homework done."

The strikes come in the wake of a UN report which warns of global temperature rising to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, and advises cutting global carbon dioxide emissions by almost half within 12 years.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Green party and Lib Dems backed the strike.

Students are set to follow up on February's action with a second round of strikes taking place on March 15.