Boris Johnson Faces Scrutiny at Covid-19 Inquiry Over Toll on Children
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson returned to the Covid-19 inquiry today, facing intense questioning over how his government’s pandemic policies affected children across the UK.
The inquiry, now deep into its examination of the social cost of lockdowns, is focusing this week on the experiences of young people, those who lost months of learning, social interaction, and stability during 2020 and 2021.
Under Mr Johnson’s leadership, the nation endured sweeping restrictions. Schools closed their doors. Lessons shifted online.
At the #Covidinquiry this morning as Boris ‘long covid is bollocks’ Johnson arrived. He didn’t have a message for my kids unfortunately – long covid from infections in 2024. pic.twitter.com/bPPB2R3PZ8
— Rebecca O’Connor (@rebeccaoco) October 21, 2025
Social bubbles replaced playground chatter. For more than a year, classrooms became screens, and uncertainty ruled the timetable.
Rules changed, often abruptly. Preceptors were left scrabbling to interpret new guidance while trying to keep assignments going. Parents, too, plodded to balance work, childcare, and the emotional risk of isolation.
Mr Johnson, appearing calm as he entered the hall in central London, is anticipated to defend the opinions made by his government during that chaotic time.
The former Prime Minister has consistently argued that every move was taken “to save lives and protect the NHS.”
Yet, criticism continues to mount. Last week, Gavin Williamson, Education Secretary during much of the crisis, made a striking accusation.
He said Mr Johnson “chose the NHS over children,” suggesting there was a “lack of seriousness” within government circles about the long-term harm to young people.
The comments have reignited debate over whether education was sidelined in favor of health policy.
Numerous parents and preceptors have echoed analogous frustrations, saying children bore a silent burden of the epidemic.
Mr Johnson last appeared before the inquiry in 2023, when he defended broader government opinions around the original lockdown.
moment’s session, still, cuts deeper, fastening on missed mileposts, widening inequalities, and the internal health struggles that followed.
The inquiry will hear substantiation from preceptors, pediatric specialists, and child welfare experts over the coming days.
Their testimonies are anticipated to paint a pictorial picture of the lasting scars left on the nation’s youthful citizens.
While Mr Johnson insists his government “did what was necessary at the time,” the inquiry aims to uncover whether more could, or should have been done to shield children from the fallout.
As proceedings continue, one thing is clear: the debate over how Britain protected its most vulnerable, and whether Boris Johnson’s government struck the right balance, is far from over.
