Sir Gavin Williamson has expressed disapproval of Boris Johnson’s actions in his testimony at the Covid-19 Inquiry. The former Education Secretary criticized the government for delays in preparing schools for remote learning and highlighted last-minute decisions made by the then-Prime Minister. Williamson indicated that Johnson’s announcement of a phased return in May 2020 was detrimental to schools, children, and families due to safety concerns. He acknowledged mistakes in not anticipating school closures and remote learning, attributing these errors to insufficient consideration of emerging scientific evidence.
Research indicates that the prolonged isolation and disrupted learning experienced by children during the pandemic have had enduring effects on their development. Williamson admitted to errors made both before and during the pandemic, acknowledging a failure to prioritize emerging scientific data that later proved to be accurate. He took responsibility for shortcomings in his department’s response to the crisis, expressing regret for not acting swiftly enough.
In March 2020, the UK implemented school closures for all except children of essential workers and vulnerable individuals. The shift to remote learning posed challenges for families with key workers or limited internet access. Testimonies from headteachers revealed that some had preemptively made contingency plans for school closures as early as February and March 2020, well before official announcements.
Sir Gavin suggested that Boris Johnson’s reluctance to close schools during the initial wave of the pandemic hindered effective consultation on potential closures. He criticized the Prime Minister for creating false expectations with his announcements, stating that the messaging was inconsistent and ultimately damaging for schools, children, and parents. The reopening of schools in England commenced on June 1, with Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland following later due to varying timelines.
Following a third lockdown announced by Boris Johnson in January 2021, all schools in England closed for most pupils from January 5, shifting to remote learning until mid-February. Recent testimonies at the inquiry, including that of Sir Jon Coles, criticized the Department for Education for failing to plan for school closures earlier in 2020. Despite his role in supporting Boris Johnson’s leadership bid, Gavin Williamson faced backlash for his handling of the 2020 exam grading controversy.
A Government spokesperson emphasized the importance of learning from the pandemic and the ongoing Covid Inquiry. The government is committed to utilizing the findings to enhance future planning and preparedness.