Covid effect on young people will be in inquiry spotlight

THE Covid-19 inquiry will examine the impact of the pandemic on children and young people, after its chairman was convinced by “compelling arguments” to do so.

The original scope of the investigation made no direct reference to children, a decision heavily criticised by charities, MPS and campaigners.

The Daily Telegraph, which first reported the omission, has been running a campaign calling on ministers to put children first as the country recovers from repeated lockdowns.

Baroness Hallett, the chairman of the UK Covid-19 public inquiry, has written to the Prime Minister to ask him to expand the terms of reference to include the impact of the pandemic on children and young people.

Anne Longfield, the chairman of the Commission on Young Lives and former Children’s Commissioner for England, welcomed the expanded terms.

“Children made enormous sacrifices during the pandemic, which really impacted their education and wellbeing.

“It’s really important that we understand what impact that had, but also that we learn from the mistakes,” she said.

The consultation on the inquiry’s terms of reference received more than 20,000 responses.

During the call for submissions, Baroness Hallett held meetings with more than 150 bereaved families and groups.

The Prime Minister must now approve the final terms of reference, which will be established under the 2005 Inquiries Act, before the inquiry can begin.

Robert Halfon, the Tory MP and chairman of the Education Select Committee, welcomed the expanded terms, but he added: “I hope the inquiry looks hard at the damage school closures have done to children in terms of their mental health, education attainment, safeguarding and life chances.”

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said it was “essential” the Prime Minister accepts the expanded terms.

“Schools have been repeatedly let down by the Government during the pandemic and children have paid a high price for these failures,” he added.

Clare Kelly, associate head of policy at the NSPCC, said the pandemic had “considerable impact” on safeguarding children and this should be “scrutinised closely” during the inquiry.

She said: “Ultimately lessons must be learned from this inquiry, as well as the upcoming national review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-hughes and Star Hobson, and acted upon to strengthen the entire safeguarding system.”

Baroness Hallett also for the terms of reference to be reframed “to put inequalities at its forefront” of the inquiry.

She called on the Prime Minister to accept the changes “swiftly” to “ensure the inquiry can begin its formal work without delay”.

The inquiry is due to begin with public hearings in 2023.

‘Schools have been let down by the Government during the pandemic and children have paid a high price’