WIREDGOV

The COVID-19 Committee hears the concerns of charities who have been supporting families through the pandemic.

• The long-term impact of the pandemic on parents and families
• COVID-19 Committee

While the pandemic has had an impact on all parents and families, the severity of that impact, and the potential long-term consequences, will vary significantly. While there have been positives for some families in being able to spend more time together, emerging evidence suggests others are experiencing increasing mental ill health, poverty, domestic abuse and child neglect. There are also concerns around the impact on children’s development, perhaps especially for those born in the last year.

The Committee has decided to conduct a short inquiry on this topic, and will begin by hearing from organisations working with more vulnerable and disadvantaged families about what they have observed over the last year and their concerns for the future.

Witnesses

Tuesday 20 April 2021

At 9.45am, the Committee will hear evidence from:

• Jabeer Butt, Chief Executive, Race Equality Foundation
• Sally Hogg, Head of Policy and Campaigning, Parent-Infant Foundation
• David Holmes, Chief Executive, Family Action
• Jaine Stannard, Chief Executive, School-Home Support
• Jane Williams, CEO Founder, The Magpie Project

Themes for discussion

• How the pandemic has affected more vulnerable and disadvantaged families.
• What the long-term impact of the pandemic might be for parents and children.
• What action is needed from Government to respond to these concerns.