The impact of Covid-19 on Britons has been profound, with devastating effects on the nation’s economy, public health, and overall well-being. Five years after the first lockdown, the Observer’s analysis of international data revealed that Britain’s response to the pandemic was less effective compared to other developed countries. Despite significant financial investments in economic relief measures, the UK experienced larger drops in life expectancy, increased rates of illness preventing work, a surge in homelessness, and a rise in mental health issues among young people.
As thousands gather across the UK to mark the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, the lingering effects of Covid-19 continue to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society. Health and civil society leaders caution that the repercussions of the pandemic are far from over.
Siva Anandaciva, the director of policy at the King’s Fund thinktank, expressed concern over the UK’s failure to recover from the pandemic as quickly as other developed nations. He highlighted the decline in life expectancy as a significant indicator of the country’s health status, noting that the UK had regressed to levels seen a decade ago, while other European countries had made progress.
Inequality: A Dominant Theme of the Pandemic
Hetan Shah, the chief executive of the British Academy, emphasized that inequality had emerged as the primary narrative of the pandemic. He pointed out that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds were disproportionately affected by the crisis, with higher rates of long Covid among the most deprived households compared to the wealthiest. Shah underscored the challenge of reduced investments in public services, warning that without intervention, these trends could persist.
Despite the UK’s substantial financial commitments to pandemic relief, the returns on these investments were subpar. While most G7 nations witnessed a resurgence in adult workforce participation post-lockdown, the UK observed a concerning trend of increasing economic inactivity. Approximately 2.7 million individuals were deemed too ill to work, leading to a 0.5% rise in the number of economically inactive people.
The Toll on Public Health and Well-being
In terms of life expectancy, a critical measure of a nation’s ability to care for its citizens, the UK lagged behind other developed countries. Women in the UK could expect to live 82 years and 10 months, three years less than their counterparts in Spain, Australia, or Italy, while men’s life expectancy was 79 years, two years less than in the aforementioned countries. This reversal marked a setback of more than a decade in lifespan improvements.
Moreover, the UK witnessed a sharp increase in homelessness, with figures more than doubling in England since 2010. The rate of homelessness stood in stark contrast to trends in similar countries, where numbers were either stable or declining. Additionally, children in the UK reported significantly lower levels of life satisfaction compared to their peers in other OECD countries, reflecting the profound impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental well-being.
Despite the UK’s high number of reported Covid-related deaths, the country’s excess mortality rate aligned with that of other nations. Health experts attributed this disparity to the longstanding underfunding of the National Health Service (NHS), which struggled to cope with the demands of the pandemic. The lack of adequate resources and capacity hindered the UK’s ability to effectively manage the crisis and recover swiftly.
As the nation commemorates the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, a Day of Reflection will be observed with various events, including a procession along the national Covid memorial wall in London and services at prominent locations like St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. In the coming days, the Covid inquiry will delve into the government’s procurement of essential medical supplies during the early stages of the pandemic, shedding light on critical decisions made during a time of crisis.
Mental health challenges among children and young adults have also intensified in the aftermath of the pandemic, accounting for a significant portion of health issues affecting this demographic. The enduring impact of Covid-19 on public health, social inequalities, and economic stability underscores the need for continued vigilance, support, and strategic planning to mitigate the long-term consequences of the crisis.