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Lack of female perspective had ‘significant’ impact on Covid policies

Decisions on Covid measures did not properly consider domestic abuse, PPE, childcare or pregnancy, inquiry told

By James Harrison
Lack of female perspective had ‘significant’ impact on Covid policies
As late as 15 April 2020, deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara was asking for the lack of women's PPE to be considered by the government | Getty
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The government’s pandemic policies on domestic abuse, childcare, PPE and pregnancy were hampered by a lack of “female perspective”, a former top civil servant has said.

The UK’s Covid inquiry has already heard that Boris Johnson’s “oscillating” and indecisiveness saw vital decisions delayed at key moments.

Now former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara has claimed other issues were overlooked or misunderstood because of a lack of diversity at the heart of government.

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