18 h. ago Boris Johnson says DfE failed to plan for school closures during Covid crisis

Former PM tells inquiry that children ‘were paying a huge, huge price to protect the rest of society’Boris Johnson laid blame on the Department for Education (DfE) over its lack of preparation for school closures at the outbreak of the pandemic, telling the Covid-19 inquiry that he assumed detailed planning was going on behind the scenes.“We were focused on trying to delay the peak of the pandemic and we thought that the closure of schools, if it had to be used at all, would be a measure of last resort,” the former prime minister said. He added: “It was my impression that the work was being done. I certainly, let me put it this way, I certainly assumed that the work was being done.” Continue reading...

Events

20 h. ago Boris Johnson denies UK failed to plan for Covid school closures

Former prime minister defends government’s response to pandemic but admits children paid ‘huge, huge price’

Politics

22 h. ago UK did plan for mass school closures after onset of Covid, says Boris Johnson

Former prime minister gives evidence to official inquiry and defends his government’s response to pandemic

Politics

22 h. ago Johnson insists there had been planning for Covid school closures

The former prime minister is giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Politics

7 d. ago Sir Gavin Williamson: ‘Many mistakes made’ with Covid school closures

The former education secretary told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry things should have been done differently.

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Dereliction of duty’ not to plan for Covid school closures – academy boss

Former DfE director general for schools Sir Jon Coles said his trust got on planning for school closures in March 2020 before receiving direction

Politics