Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to the Children’s Commissioner’s Report ‘Hidden: children at risk during lockdown’, said:

“The Government cannot ignore the vulnerable children identified in this report, who are at heightened risk during the Covid-19 outbreak. It is imperative that the Government ensures that social care and schools are urgently working to identify and support vulnerable children and their families.

“Yesterday, the Government significantly relaxed statutory duties on local authorities to protect vulnerable children. In light of this report, it is even more urgent that the Government guarantees these changes will not adversely impact children in need and commits to reversing them if there is any evidence they are doing so.

“Ministers must also alleviate the financial pressures on families which may be making the situation even worse, including ensuring urgent access to food where the free school meal voucher scheme is failing.’’