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England’s commissioner for children will warn that the government is not doing enough to help the most vulnerable children.
Anne Longfield will say that children should be at the center of the prime minister’s plan to “rebuild better” after the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.
In his final speech on paper, he will discuss his frustration with Whitehall officials, many of whom “have never met any of the children they are responsible for.”
Commissioner for Children Anne Longfield Says Government Must Pay More Attention to Children’s Needs
“Many seem to see them as remote concepts or data points in an annual return,” he will say.
“This is how children fall through the gaps, because too often the people in charge of the systems they need just don’t see them and try to understand their world.
“I have to force officials and ministers to sit at the table, watch them sit during a presentation, maybe ask a question and then walk away doing nothing.
“I don’t think this truly reflects the reach of the government and the public’s commitment to helping children succeed.”
Ms. Longfield will step down at the end of the month after six years advocating for the children of England.
Some children can be homeschooled, but many do not have the equipment or help they need.
He will ask Boris Johnson to make sure that we do not “define children by what has happened this year.”
Once the virus is under control, schools, sports halls and swimming pools should be used in the evenings, weekends and holidays as part of a year of opportunity to help children “catch up with confidence.” , He said.
“It will take political will and funding – an opportunity fund – measured in billions, but it would be worth every penny. It should be led by the prime minister.”
Ms Longfield will criticize the Treasury for an “institutional bias against children”, saying that only around £ 1 billion has been spent supporting pupils, despite the Institute for Fiscal Studies warning that School closures could result in a loss of revenue of £ 350 billion..
Of particular concern is the uncertainty surrounding universal credit: an increase of £ 20 per week, introduced as part of the COVID-19 Last year’s technical support package expires at the end of April.
Ms. Longfield will say: “If the government is really focused on educational recovery, it would not even tolerate pushing 800,000 children into the kind of devastating poverty that can have a much greater impact on their life chances than the school they attend. . or the recovery tuition they receive. “
A government spokesperson said: “Protecting vulnerable children has been at the center of our response to the pandemic, fueled by our commitment to leveling opportunities and outcomes.
“That is why we have allowed the most vulnerable children to continue to attend school in person, while providing laptops, devices and data packages to home learners and ensuring that the most disadvantaged children receive food and warmth.
“We have also pushed for crucial reform in adoption, in the care system, in education after age 16 and in supporting mental health, and our long-term recovery plans and investment of more than 1 billion pounds sterling will ensure that we make up for time lost in education throughout this Parliament.
“Anne Longfield has been a tireless advocate for children, and we are grateful for her dedication and challenge in the areas where we can continue to raise the bar for the most vulnerable.”
