Boris the botcher caves in to pressure
Counselling sessions over abuse up by quarter
the recovery. They want extra investment in children’s mental health.
It comes after a report by the Children’s Commissioner for England warned Covid-19 has increased “many of the risks facing teenagers” such as domestic violence, poor mental health and exploitation. It added the risks had been made worse by the closure of schools, summer schemes and parks, and cuts to mental health support.
Childline founder Esther Rantzen said: “The pandemic has cut them off from the places they’ve relied upon in the past for comfort and support.
“During lockdown, the virus has imprisoned them in homes which may not be safe, with emotional and physical abuse, violence, or neglect.”
NSPCC boss Peter Wanless added: “There’s no doubt the pandemic has had a direct impact on the mental health of many of our young people.
“It’s concerning we’ve seen an increase in children under 11 reaching out for support. The impact is being felt by our youngest children.
“We need an ambitious recovery plan ensuring access to vital services.” ■ Contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat at childline.org.uk
■ Generation Covid: Our Children in Crisis?, ITV, tonight, 7.30pm
BORIS Johnson yesterday committed for the first time to holding an independent probe into his Government’s botched handling of the pandemic.
The PM caved in to pressure for an inquiry over the UK’s coronavirus response but refused to give details on when it would begin.
He previously snubbed calls for independent scrutiny of the Government’s record on several issues.
They include shortages of protective kit for NHS staff and testing capacity, as well as the early decision to discharge elderly people into care homes without tests.
Mr Johnson was pressed by the