Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson summoned to Covid-19 Inquiry in London to face questions about late lockdowns and a lack of national preparation for remote learning
Boris Johnson will be questioned at the Covid-19 Inquiry this week about the harms done to a generation of children.
The former Prime Minister has been criticised for late lockdowns and a lack of national preparation for remote learning when schools closed. There is mounting evidence that missed learning and isolation during the pandemic has had a lasting developmental impact for some.
Protesters and Covid bereaved are expected to attend as the shamed pandemic leader explains his government’s decisions on Tuesday in the inquiry’s latest module looking at the impact on children and young people. Appearing during an earlier module in 2023, Mr Johnson admitted that he “absolutely” thought children disproportionately suffered from his government’s pandemic interventions, adding “particularly kids on the lowest incomes”.
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When asked about the closures of schools and lockdowns, Mr Johnson said: “I am not certain in the future we would want to do it in that way.” He told the probe that he wished more funding had been provided to help children catch up with learning after the lockdowns.
The UK announced school closures to all but children of essential workers and those deemed most vulnerable in March 2020. Families were asked to carry out remote learning but those with key workers out of the home or poor internet connectivity were unable to keep up.
The Children’s Rights Alliance for England says only one in 10 vulnerable children entitled to go to school during lockdown did so. Its director Louise King previously said: “The impact of this lack of thought into how decisions during the pandemic would affect children and young people will stay with them forever.
“Lessons must be learned for the future while the events are still fresh in our minds. And crucially, children need support now to deal with the consequences of decisions made during Covid-19 – the years of lost learning, lost freedoms and lost hope.”
Some families living in high rise flats suffered from isolation and a lack of access to green space during the pandemic. Children living in households with parents with mental health and addiction issues also suffered behind closed doors.
Last week the Mirror reported criticism of Mr Johnson by his former Education Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson appearing at the inquiry at Dorland House, West London. Sir Gavin suggested the Government was late to prepare schools for remote learning and last-minute decisions were often made by the then-Prime Minister.
He told the inquiry Johnson’s decision in May 2020 to suddenly announce a phased return to schools was “damaging” to children and families as it could not be done safely. Sir Gavin also apologised for “many mistakes” such as not preparing for school closures and remote learning as the “emerging scientific evidence” showed it would be necessary.
Sir Chris Whitty will give evidence before the inquiry on Monday and England’s Chief Medical Officer is likely to be grilled on the advice he gave to ministers.