Speaking to the House of Lords Covid-19 Committee, the chair of the children and young people’s board, Judith Blake, has called for greater investment in childrens’ services.

“We need to shout out louder about the needs of investment in children” she said, amid reports from several children’s charities that there may be long term negative impacts on children’s education and social care as a result of the pandemic.

Chloe Darlington, policy and communications manager at Children England, emphasised how certain groups have been particularly affected, including autistic children who “have had a particularly tough year.”