The inquiry heard that in some international locations, youngsters have been on the forefront of nationwide issues. The prime ministers in Norway and New Zealand held TV briefings for kids initially of the pandemic to reassure them and to thank them for all they have been doing.
“We did not have such an occasion within the UK, regardless of my requests to No 10 and the prime minister,” Ms Longfield mentioned.
Whereas insurance policies on college closures and examination cancellations have been broadly related throughout the 4 UK nations, the previous youngsters’s commissioner mentioned there have been different notable variations.
In England, youngsters weren’t exempt from the “rule of six” preparations, which prohibited social gatherings of greater than six folks – not like their friends in Scotland and Wales.
This meant at occasions youngsters in England have been unable to play with buddies or spend time with grandparents whereas these in Scotland and Wales may.
She mentioned youngsters ought to be put on the coronary heart of planning for future emergencies, with colleges “the final to shut and the primary to reopen”.
Ms Longfield is looking for a extra formidable restoration plan and the appointment of a minister for kids to sort out the long-term affect of lockdown and college closures.
Analysis exhibits the variety of youngsters in search of NHS assist for psychological well being issues has risen for the reason that pandemic, persistent absence in colleges is struggling to get again to pre-pandemic ranges and the attainment hole is widening.
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