Prime Minister's aide 'broke lockdown rules', say parents

Parents tell Mumsnet they're more likely to break lockdown rules after Dominic Cummings' Durham trip

More than 80 per cent of parents have said they did not and would not have travelled for back-up childcare during lockdown, but more would be likely to break the rules now.

Almost a quarter said they had been in similar circumstances to the Prime Minister’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings and had stayed put, according to a survey of 965 Mumsnet users with at least one child.

Of those surveyed, 90 per cent said in their view Mr Cummings and his family broke the rules of lockdown.

A total of 81 per cent of respondents said they either did not or would not have travelled for emergency childcare, with 23 per cent saying they had found themselves in a situation where one parent was ill and the other suspected they may become ill too, while caring for a young child, and did not travel for emergency back-up.

Now, a total of 33 per cent of respondents said knowing the actions he took, they are more likely to break lockdown rules as they stand – with 75 per cent of those saying they would most likely do so to visit family or friends.

Breaking the rules

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.”