Public hearings for Module 8 (Children and Young People) of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry took place today, with Chair Rt Hon Baroness Hallett DBE hearing opening submissions from core participants.
Module 8 will examine the impact of the pandemic on children and young people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Specifically, the module will consider the impact of the pandemic on children across society including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and from a diverse range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
The Inquiry plans to hear evidence from 29 September 2025 to 23 October 2025.
Sangeetha Iengar represents core participants Long Covid Kids and Long Covid Kids Scotland, grassroots advocacy organisations made up of parents whose children developed Long COVID, in Module 8 of the Inquiry.
Sangeetha is led by Sarah Hannett KC of Matrix Chambers. Counsel instructed by Jane Ryan of Bhatt Murphy.
At the Inquiry, Sangeetha stated in the opening submission:
“My clients ask the Inquiry to treat the devastation caused to children’s lives as a human rights issue and to conclude that the actions of Government in respect of the new childhood disease of Long COVID failed to comply with children’s rights to education, health and family life, and the right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of disability.
Further, my clients ask the Inquiry to conclude that decision-makers evidently failed to prioritise the best interests of children in making or more often, omitting to make decisions about paediatric Long COVID.”
Watch in full below:
