<p>FCDO-funded research has improved our global understanding of how COVID-19 is impacting on the lives and learning outcomes of young people in low and middle income countries. This includes the Young Lives at Work Covid Telephone Survey, with the first two rounds of surveys finding that poorer students have had to find work to support their families and may struggle to return to education. COVID-19 represents an unprecedented education crisis. 1.6 billion students were out of education due to coronavirus at the peak of school closures and millions of children in the most vulnerable places may never return to school. As set out by the Foreign Secretary, girls' education will remain a priority for UK aid, supporting girls to return to school and complete 12 years of quality education. This focus, and findings such as these, will be taken into account as decisions on future ODA spending are made.</p>