Plans to help school students catch-up from a year of Covid disruption were thrown into doubt last night after teaching unions issued a fresh pay demand. Britain's largest teaching union, the National Education Union (NEU), said any plans to lengthen the school day or extend terms dates would require a new pay deal. It comes after Boris Johnson vowed to go 'flat out' to help children catch-up on lost learning during lockdown - including the possibility of plans to extend the school year in England. But while the NEU's joint general secretary, Kevin Courtney, said he was in favour of using school buildings for extra catch-up lessons, he said any that involve teachers working longer hours would require a new pay deal.