81% of parents wouldn't travel for emergency childcare in lockdown, survey finds

More than 80% of parents did not and would not have travelled for emergency childcare during the lockdown as Dominic Cummings did, a survey has suggested.

A total of 23% said they had found themselves in similar circumstances to the prime minister’s chief adviser, with one parent ill and the other suspecting they may become ill too – but had chosen to stay at home.

The survey of 965 Mumsnet users with at least one child found that 81% of respondents claimed they either did not or would not have travelled to ensure somebody could take care of their child.

Mr Cummings had undoubtedly broken the rules of the coronavirus lockdown, 90% of those surveyed believed.

Amid claims the adviser’s actions have made the public less likely to adhere to restrictions, 33% of respondents said they are more likely to break lockdown rules now.

Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live

Of these people, 75% of those stated they would probably break them to visit family or friends.

Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts said: ‘It’s clear from our respondents and the Mumsnet discussion boards that Dominic Cummings’ interpretation of lockdown rules was not how parents around the country viewed them.

‘Many of our users have found themselves in similar circumstances with concerns about how they might care for their children in the event of falling ill but very few thought that meant they could ignore guidance to stay at home.

‘Perhaps the most worrying aspect is that a large number of parents now freely admit they’ll break the rules to visit friends and family.’

In a press conference on Monday, Mr Cummings said he didn’t regret his actions and had not considered quitting.

He stated: ‘I think it’s reasonable to say that other people would have behaved differently, in different ways, in this whole situation.

‘But as I stress, I was trying to balance lots of competing things.’

However, police have reportedly interviewed a witness who claims he saw the political strategist and his family walking by the River Tees on Easter Sunday

Robin Lees described having a ‘thorough’ chat with officers about his claim, which could provide evidence of a breach.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.