Sir Gavin Williamson has expressed disapproval of Boris Johnson’s decisions during 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 choices made by the then-Prime Minister. He stated that Johnson’s announcement in May 2020 regarding a phased return to schools was detrimental as it could not be executed safely, impacting schools, children, and families. Sir Gavin acknowledged numerous errors, including the failure to anticipate school closures and the necessity for remote learning based on 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. Sir Gavin admitted to mistakes made both before the pandemic and in its early stages, emphasizing the importance of heeding scientific evidence. He lamented the government’s lack of focused attention on addressing these challenges, acknowledging his own responsibility as the Secretary of State for Education.
In March 2020, the UK implemented school closures for all except children of essential workers and the most vulnerable. Remote learning was introduced, but families with key workers or poor internet connectivity faced difficulties in keeping up. Testimonies from headteachers revealed that some had begun planning for school closures as early as February and March 2020, well before any official announcements.
Sir Gavin pointed out that the reluctance to close schools during the initial wave of Covid-19 hindered consultations on school closures. He highlighted his disagreement with Johnson’s decision to announce a phased reopening of schools, believing it was destined to fail. The social distancing rules in place at the time limited class sizes, making full reopening logistically challenging without violating regulations.
Accusing Boris Johnson of offering false hope, Sir Gavin criticized the announcement for its potential negative impact on schools, children, and parents. The phased reopening of schools in England started on June 1, while Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland followed later dates. Subsequently, a third lockdown in England was announced on January 4, 2021, leading to the closure of schools for most pupils with a shift to remote learning.
In discussions at the inquiry, Sir Gavin emphasized the government’s failure to relax social distancing rules, making full school reopening unfeasible. He criticized Johnson for wavering in his positions and giving misleading assurances to parents. The inquiry also heard criticisms from other education leaders regarding the lack of proactive planning for school closures in the early stages of the pandemic.
Following his support for Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign, Williamson returned to the cabinet as Secretary of State for Education in July 2019. Despite facing criticism over the 2020 school exam grading controversy, he was later knighted by Johnson in March 2022. A Government spokesperson acknowledged the need to learn from the pandemic and expressed commitment to incorporating the Covid Inquiry’s findings into future planning and preparations.