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Theresa May has slammed thousands of young people for staging a mass walk-out from school as part of a global youth action over climate change.

While Downing Street said it was important for young people to engage with the issue, the disruption to planned time was damaging to pupils an increased teachers' workloads.

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.

"That time is crucial for young people, precisely so that they can develop into the top scientists, engineers and advocates we need to help tackle this problem."

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

Traffic in Westminster was brought to a standstill as children sat down in the road outside the Houses of Parliament.

Chants of "Save our Trees!" and "F**k Theresa May" were heard as thousands of students rallied in Parliament Square.

Banner slogans seen at the protest included "I've seen smarter cabinets at IKEA", "There is no Planet B" and "I'm looking for a hot date, not a hot planet."

And another large banner read: "We're skipping lessons to teach you one."

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The daughter of Environment Secretary Michael Gove was reportedly in the crowd.

In her Daily Mail column, Mr Gove's wife, Sarah Vine wrote: "Presumably, like 99.9 per cent of those taking part, they see it less as a political protest than as an excellent opportunity to get out of doing any work.

"That's how my daughter and her friends view it. I did point out that since her father is the actual Environment Secretary, she could theoretically petition him directly.

"'That's all right,' she said. 'I'd rather go to the park.'"

School leaders and Education Secretary Damian Hinds warned students they should not miss lessons to take part in the strikes.

The movement has already seen school strikes in Australia and European countries including Belgium, and has been inspired by teenager Greta Thunberg, who protests every Friday outside Sweden's parliament to urge leaders to tackle climate change.

(Image: Getty Images)

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The strikes come in the wake of a UN report which warned that limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, beyond which climate impacts become increasingly severe, requires unprecedented action.

That includes cutting global carbon dioxide emissions by almost half within 12 years.

Students in the UK are demanding the Government declare a climate emergency and take active steps to tackle the problem, communicate the severity of the ecological crisis to the public and reform the curriculum to make it an educational priority.

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They also want recognition that young people have the biggest stake in the future, should be involved in policymaking, and that the voting age should be lowered to 16.

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.

"Unless we take positive action, the future's looking bleak for those of us that have grown up in an era defined by climate change."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: "Climate change is the greatest threat that we all face but it is the school kids of today whose futures are most on the line. They are right to feel let down by the generation before them and it’s inspiring to see them making their voice heard today."

(Image: PA)

(Image: PA)

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) said it supports the right of young people to express themselves but it did not condone students being out of the classroom to take action.

In a statement, the NAHT said: "While a school leader's role is to ensure children attend school, are kept safe and receive a good quality of education, it is right that individual school leaders can decide how best to respond to any proposed protest by students in their school on Friday."

Mr Hinds said: "I want young people to be engaged in key issues affecting them and involving themselves in causes they care about.

"But let me be clear, missing class won't do a thing to help the environment; all they will do is create extra work for teachers."

He added it was ultimately a matter for headteachers, but he did not want teachers being burdened with the extra-workload the strikes could create.

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Energy minister Claire Perry told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I suspect if this was happening 40 years ago, I would be out there too.

"I'm incredibly proud of the young people in the UK who are highly educated about this issue and feel very strongly - quite rightly - that we do need to take action because it's their generation that will bear the consequences.

"I do want to slightly caution that with the more official view that we can't put any more burdens on our superb teachers and teaching staff. I do hope that anyone missing school today does get their work and their homework done."

TV presenter Richard Osman also have his support to the youngsters, tweeting: "Huge support, respect and thanks for everyone taking part in #schoolstrike4climate. While my generation just yell at each other in ever decreasing circles, the planet is dying around us. I hope this incredible new generation keeps fighting for what it believes."

London mayor Sadiq Khan , speaking at the National Clean Air Summit at the Tate Modern on Thursday, said he understands why children feel "very strongly" about pollution and climate change and called for politicians to take "great strides to clear up the air across our country".

He said: "I say to my fellow politicians, we can be the first generation to get it and find solutions, or the last generation not to get it."

The strike is being supported by environmental campaign groups and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who will address students on their walkout in Brighton.

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Ms Lucas, who described the action as "inspiring", said: "Our children recognise that this is a climate emergency.

"They are striking this week because they know we cannot carry on as normal.

"Teachers work hard to prepare students for their future but right now that future is at serious risk."

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman and former teacher Layla Moran also backed the young people who have "taken up such an important and principled cause" and said she would be joining students in Oxford.

Students and young people are set to follow up on February's action with a second round of strikes taking place on March 15 as part of a global youth strike.