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Boris Johnson issued a virtual address to school leavers from Downing Street, telling them that they will be vital to the national effort of rebuilding the country. In a valiant rallying cry, Mr Johnson said their generation would become “one of the most important and influential generations in the peacetime history of our nation”. He also thanked the students for their “sacrifice” during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, adding: “Let’s face it, this is a final year like no other.”

Mr Johnson told the students that their efforts had helped save hundreds of thousands of lives during the pandemic.

He acknowledged that the students had to “grow up” faster during the pandemic as he urged them “to jump on every opportunity that comes your way, and rugby tackle it to the floor”.

The Prime Minister said: “Your last months of school have coincided with the greatest crisis our country has faced since the Second World War.

“It was your education that was disrupted, your lives that were disrupted.”

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He continued: “And now, as many of you are missing out once again on parties and festivals, presentations, perhaps even long-planned holidays, I want you to know that your efforts have been worth it.

“Because of you, because of your sacrifice, we’ve saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

“And that’s not something many generations will be able to say about their final weeks of school. Not your elder siblings, certainly not your parents.

“Your generation, that came of age and perhaps had to grow up a bit faster during this pandemic, your generation are going to be so so vital to that national effort to rebuild because we’re going to need bright, brilliant young people like you.

“And that strength of character, the qualities that you forged during the lockdown – empathy, resilience, self-discipline, patience – those are qualities we’re going to need now as we make our society fairer, make our air cleaner, stop our planet getting warmer.”

Mr Johnson compared to new generation to those that fought World War Two and rebuilt Britain afterwards.

He said: “Your generation has come of age facing a challenge like no other generation before you.”

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The British leader added: “And just as previous generations have had their own missions: the wartime generation that rebuilt Britain in the 1950s, those who fought for greater rights and equality in the 1960s and 70s.

“Your mission will be to make your way in the world, as we build back a better, fairer Britain.”

In a virtual People’s PMQs on Friday, Mr Johnson said he wanted to see schools and universities fully reopen this autumn.

He also suggested during the People’s PMQs that face masks could be made mandatory for shops and other enclosed spaces.

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