TORY plans for a blanket ban on mobile phones in schools are an “unenforceable distraction that worsens issues faced by teachers,” unions said today.

At the Conservative Party conference in Manchester today, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan was due to set out government guidance banning students in England from using the devices during the school day.

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach warned: “If the government introduces blanket bans that are unenforceable, this will make the behaviour crisis worse, not better.