In a damning submission to the official COVID-19 Inquiry, former Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield has delivered a blistering critique of the government's handling of the pandemic's impact on young people, accusing ministers of systematic failure in protecting children's welfare.
'Children Were an Afterthought'
Longfield, who served as Children's Commissioner for England from 2015 to 2021, testified that young people were consistently overlooked in pandemic planning and response. "Children were an afterthought, and often not even that," she declared in her written evidence to the inquiry chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett.
Shocking Lack of Preparation
The former commissioner revealed that no substantial contingency plans existed for safeguarding children's education, mental health, or social care during a national emergency. Her evidence paints a picture of chaotic decision-making that prioritised economic concerns over young people's development and wellbeing.
Key Failures Highlighted:
- School closures implemented without adequate plans for remote learning or catch-up support
- Mental health services overwhelmed with minimal additional resources
- Vulnerable children in social care systems left without proper protection
- No dedicated ministerial representation for children in crucial COBRA meetings
Long-term Consequences
Longfield warned that the government's failures have created a "generational shadow" that will affect children for years to come. Educational setbacks, deteriorating mental health, and increased inequality among young people represent what she describes as "the true cost of pandemic mismanagement."
The evidence submission comes as the COVID Inquiry continues to examine the UK's preparedness and response to the crisis, with Longfield's testimony adding to growing criticism of the government's decision-making processes during the emergency.
