Young people must be given the support that they need to avoid second health crisis later in life Health Foundation response to additional government funding for summer schools

In response to the government announcing additional funding for summer schools, Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation, said: 

'Education is absolutely essential for development, not only in terms of attainment and learning, but for evolving problem solving skills, emotional connections and feeling valued and empowered. The disruptions to schooling and education due to the pandemic will undoubtably have long-term impacts on health outcomes, with evidence showing that those with higher levels of education are expected to live four years longer than those with the lowest.

'The Government’s announcement of £400m to help children in England catch up on lost learning is an important step to support pupils and help address the issues of widening inequality as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health of our young people is one of our nation’s greatest assets, and so it is critical that we do not create a second health crisis later in life by not offering the support that young people need now.'

The Health Foundation’s COVID-19 impact inquiry is exploring the pandemic’s implications for health and health inequalities in the UK. Reporting in summer 2021, it will consider how people’s experience of the pandemic was influenced by health and existing inequalities as well as the likely impact of measures to control the virus on people’s health and health inequalities.

Media contact

Simon Perry
Simon.Perry@health.org.uk
020 7257 2093