Overview
- He disputed Gavin Williamson’s claim that no impact assessment was sought, pointing to a Department for Education paper dated 15 March 2020 outlining the implications of closures.
- He acknowledged the government was slow to understand Covid’s impact on young people and described the loss of education as a disaster he wished could have been avoided.
- He said the 2020 exam-grading algorithm failed, expressed regret over the damage caused, and confirmed he considered sacking Williamson during the fallout.
- He argued rules affecting children likely went too far and suggested children might have been exempted from some restrictions in hindsight.
- He accepted responsibility for mistakes, said January 2021 school closures could have been decided sooner, and left the hearing to protests as the inquiry’s children-focused module continues.