Lost generation
A GENERATION’S missed schooling is the hidden disaster of the Covid crisis.
Every single life lost to the disease is a personal tragedy, of course, and every job cut threatens real hardship.
But imagine if the nightly news bulletins carried not only the numbers of deaths and new cases, but also the running total of lost school days and consequent number of children whose futures have been forever blighted.
That graph would only go upwards.
Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield has revealed how — even if pupils go back to school on March 8 — almost ONE BILLION days of schooling will have been lost.
No amount of Zoom time with friends or online lessons can replace that.
School closures over the past year are expected to cost every child, on average, £40,000 in lifetime earnings. But disadvantaged children will suffer most.
Ms Longfield says it will take years of intense tuition and support to repair the damage. Hard-working teachers will need the help of an army of volunteers.
The Government must not only get kids back to school as soon as possible.
It must also rebuild their education with the same kind of national effort that went into the vaccine roll-out.
Duke of hazard
THE Royal Family will be understandably nervous about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s “tell-all” interview with chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.
For whatever reasons, Meghan feels badly treated by the Royal Firm. Harry, having been on the front line, would be hurt if he had to give up his remaining military patronages because he cares deeply about those he served with.
We trust neither of them will want to say anything that embarrasses the Queen as they explain why they have stepped away from Royal duties.
But it is a tricky tightrope they walk.
We wish them happiness with their growing family and new life in America.
But they must decide whether to be members of the Royal Family or make millions from media opportunities.
They can’t do both.
Rishi’s round
TREASURY bosses are considering scrapping the hated jobs tax and bringing back the £1,000 jobs retention bonus as Chancellor Rishi Sunak looks to wean the country off furlough cash.
It won’t be enough for the hospitality industry.
Nearly 2,000 pubs closed for good in 2020 and the British Beer and Pub Association warns 29,000 — 60 per cent of all pubs — will stay shut if only outdoor service is allowed from April.
They will need that to change — or much more help from Rishi — if they are to avoid calling last orders.
