The former children’s commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, has criticized the government’s handling of the pandemic in relation to children. Speaking at the Covid-19 inquiry, Longfield highlighted the lack of attention given to children’s concerns and the absence of a dedicated event for them in the UK, unlike in Norway and New Zealand where prime ministers held TV briefings specifically for children. Longfield expressed her disappointment, stating that she had requested such an event from No 10 and the prime minister.
Although school closure and exam cancellation policies were similar across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Longfield pointed out some notable differences. In England, children were not exempt from the “rule of six” restrictions, which meant they were unable to socialize in groups of more than six people. This was unlike their counterparts in Scotland and Wales, where children were not subject to the same restrictions and could socialize more freely.
Longfield emphasized the need to prioritize children in future emergency planning, advocating for schools to be the last to close and the first to reopen. She called for a more ambitious recovery plan and the appointment of a dedicated minister for children to address the long-term impacts of lockdowns and school closures.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had significant effects on children’s mental health and education. Longfield highlighted the rise in the number of children seeking NHS help for mental health problems since the pandemic began. Additionally, persistent absence in schools continues to struggle in returning to pre-pandemic levels, and the attainment gap between students is widening.