Boris Johnson Testifies on Pandemic Impact on Children

Former prime minister Boris Johnson gave evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s module on children, saying children "paid a huge price" to protect others, apologising for government mistakes and praising how teachers and schools adapted. He said there had been thought given to school-closure decisions but acknowledged planning was late, calling closing schools a "personal horror" and a "nightmare idea", and admitted the government was slow to grasp the pandemic’s impact on children. Johnson expressed regret that the 2020 exam-replacement system let down many pupils. The inquiry heard criticisms of chaotic decision-making around school closures, scrutiny of the Department for Education including questions over Gavin Williamson’s role, and calls from campaigners that the measures caused severe, long-lasting harm. This appearance follows his earlier testimony in December 2023 as the long-running inquiry continues to probe pandemic policies' effects on young people's health, education and wellbeing.