What is the UK Covid inquiry and what powers does it have?
What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?
(4 months later)
The Covid inquiry's next public hearings begin on Monday, 9 September, when it will consider how coronavirus affected healthcare systems across the UK.
Former health secretary Matt Hancock will appear before the Covid inquiry again on Thursday, as it considers the roll-out of vaccines and anti-viral treatment across the UK.
In July, the inquiry's first report said the UK's flawed pandemic preparations had led to more deaths and greater economic damage than there should have been.
In July 2024, the inquiry's first report said the UK's flawed pandemic preparations had led to more deaths and greater economic damage than there should have been.
Just under 227,000 people died in the UK from Covid between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization (WHO) said the "global health emergency" was over.
Just under 227,000 people died in the UK from Covid between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization said the "global health emergency" was over.
What is the Covid public inquiry and when did it start?
What is the Covid public inquiry and when did it start?
The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government's actions would be put "under the microscope".
The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government's actions would be put "under the microscope".
The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over government "time-wasting".
The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over government "time-wasting".
Mr Johnson said the inquiry would cover decision-making during the pandemic by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Johnson said the inquiry would cover decision-making during the pandemic by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The first public hearings took place in June 2023.
The first public hearings took place in London in June 2023. Subsequent hearings have been held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Public inquiries are established and funded by the government and are led by an independent chair. They can compel witnesses to give evidence.
Public inquiries are established and funded by the government and are led by an independent chair. They can compel witnesses to give evidence.
No-one is found guilty or innocent but the inquiry publishes conclusions and recommendations, which the government is not obliged to accept.
No-one is found guilty or innocent, but the inquiry publishes conclusions and recommendations, which the government is not obliged to accept.
Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbers
Covid inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbers
UK 'failed citizens' with flawed pandemic plans
Who is leading the Covid inquiry?
Who is leading the Covid inquiry?
The inquiry is chaired by former judge and crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, who previously led the inquests into the 7 July London bombings.
The inquiry is chaired by former judge and crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, who previously led the inquests into the 7 July London bombings.
She said that loss and suffering would be at the heart of the inquiry, adding it would be "firmly independent".
She said that loss and suffering would be at the heart of the inquiry, adding it would be "firmly independent".
Baroness Hallett promised the inquiry would be "thorough and fair"
Baroness Hallett promised the inquiry would be "thorough and fair"
She said the inquiry would consider how decisions on limiting the spread of Covid were made and communicated, and the use of lockdowns and face coverings.
Baroness Hallett said the inquiry would examine how decisions on limiting the spread of Covid were made and communicated; the use of lockdowns and face coverings; and the impact on children, health and care sector workers, and the clinically vulnerable.
It is also looking at the impact on children and health and care sector workers, and the protection of the clinically vulnerable.
She will also consider the effect on bereaved families, and how the findings could be applied to other national emergencies.
The effect on bereaved families and how the findings could be applied to other national emergencies will also be part of the inquiry.
Loss and suffering at heart of Covid inquiry
Loss and suffering at heart of Covid inquiry
What did the Covid inquiry's first report say?
What did the Covid inquiry's first report say?
At least nine reports are expected, covering everything from political decision-making to vaccines.
Several reports are expected, covering everything from political decision-making to vaccines.
Publishing the first of these, inquiry chair Baroness Hallett said the UK was "ill-prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the coronavirus pandemic".
Publishing the first of these in July 2024, Baroness Hallett said the UK was "ill-prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the coronavirus pandemic".
"Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering," she added.
"Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering," she added.
The 217-page report argues the UK planned for the wrong pandemic - a mild one where spread of a new virus was inevitable - and this led to the "untested" policy of lockdown.
The 217-page report, external argued the UK planned for the wrong pandemic - a mild one where spread of a new virus was inevitable - and this led to the "untested" policy of lockdown.
It says the UK government and devolved nations "failed their citizens", and that government ministers did not sufficiently challenge scientific experts.
It said the UK government and devolved nations "failed their citizens", and that ministers did not sufficiently challenge scientific experts.
It made a series of recommendations for reforming the way the government approaches emergency planning across the four nations of the UK.
It made a series of recommendations for reforming the way the government approaches emergency planning across the four nations of the UK.
Baroness Hallett said she wants to see these acted on quickly, with changes in place within six months or a year.
Baroness Hallett said she wanted these to be acted on quickly, with changes in place within six months or a year.
Covid inquiry: Full report, external and Covid inquiry: Summary report, external
UK 'failed citizens' with flawed pandemic plans
What else is the inquiry looking at?
What else is the inquiry looking at?
The inquiry is split into different parts., external Work has begun in several areas:
The inquiry is split into different parts., external
resilience and preparedness
Work on the first module, resilience and preparedness, external, has finished, but the inquiry is actively investigating several other aspects of Covid:
decision-making and political governance in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
decision-making and political governance in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
the impact on healthcare systems across the UK
the impact on healthcare systems across the UK
vaccines, therapeutics and antiviral treatment
vaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatment
government procurement and PPE
government procurement and PPE
the care sector
the care sector
test-and-trace
test-and-trace
the impact on children and young people
the impact on children and young people
the government's business and financial responses
the government's business and financial responses
Future strands will consider:
the impact on society
health inequalities
the impact on other public services
There is no specific timescale for how long the inquiry will last, but Baroness Hallett aims to hold the final public hearings in 2026.
There is no specific timescale for how long the inquiry will last, but Baroness Hallett aims to hold the final public hearings in 2026.
Scotland is holding a separate inquiry which has taken evidence from many of the same experts and politicians.
Scotland is holding a separate inquiry into the pandemic.
How can the public get involved in the Covid inquiry?
Who has previously given evidence to the inquiry?
Anyone can share their experience through the inquiry's Every Story Matters, external project.
The inquiry has heard from hundreds of witnesses, including current and former politicians, civil servants, government advisers, public health experts and representatives of bereaved families.
Groups representing bereaved families have urged the inquiry to ensure these voices are heard.
Many were extremely critical of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was in No 10 throughout the pandemic.
Anyone can apply to attend public hearings in person., external
He began his two-day evidence session in December 2023 by apologising for the "pain and the loss and the suffering" experienced during the pandemic.
These are also streamed on the BBC News website and the inquiry's YouTube channel,, external.
In addition, witness transcripts are published on the inquiry website., external
What did Rishi Sunak say to the inquiry?
In December 2023, former PM Rishi Sunak gave evidence during the second round of public hearings in London which focused on UK decision making and political governance, external.
He apologised to "all those who suffered... as a result of the actions that were taken" but denied his Eat Out to Help Out Scheme had increased Covid infections and deaths.
Rishi Sunak served food at Wagamama as part of a promotional event for Eat Out to Help Out
He also rejected earlier evidence from the government's chief medical officer, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, and former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance that they were not consulted about the policy.
Did Sunak's Eat Out scheme help to spread Covid?
What did Boris Johnson say to the inquiry?
Former PM Boris Johnson gave evidence across two days in December 2023 as part of the second round of hearings.
The inquiry had already heard from government officials and advisers, academic experts and representatives of bereaved families, many of whom were extremely critical of his actions.
Mr Johnson began by apologising for the "pain and the loss and the suffering" experienced during the pandemic.
His comments were interrupted by protesters, and some members of bereaved families held up signs reading: "The dead can't hear your apologies".
Barnard Castle, ICU and heckling: Johnson grilled at Covid inquiry
Barnard Castle, ICU and heckling: Johnson grilled at Covid inquiry
He admitted mistakes were made and that "there were unquestionably things we should have done differently".
Johnson admitted mistakes were made and that "there were unquestionably things we should have done differently", but insisted that ministers had done their "level best" in difficult circumstances.
He said he took "personal responsibility for all decisions made", but insisted that ministers had done their "level best" in difficult circumstances.
Five takeaways from Johnson at the Covid inquiry
Five takeaways from Johnson at the Covid inquiry
Who else gave evidence during the second round of public hearings?
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave evidence about his role as Chancellor during Covid.
The second round of public hearings began in October 2023.
He also apologised to "all those who suffered... as a result of the actions that were taken", but denied his Eat Out to Help Out Scheme had increased infections and deaths.
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock - who previously told the inquiry the UK's pandemic strategy had been completely wrong - denied he lied to colleagues during his period in office.
Rishi Sunak served food at Wagamama as part of a promotional event for Eat Out to Help Out
But he admitted the UK should have locked down much sooner and criticised the "toxic culture" in government, for which he blamed Mr Johnson's former adviser Dominic Cummings.
The government's chief medical officer, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, and former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, previously told the inquiry they had not been consulted about the policy.
Former cabinet minister Michael Gove also apologised to "victims and families who endured so much loss" but denied that Mr Johnson could not take decisions.
Did Sunak's Eat Out scheme help to spread Covid?
Sir Chris, his former deputy Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam and Sir Patrick revealed significant tensions between their advice to government and its political priorities, such as over Eat Out to Help Out.
Sir Patrick, Sir Chris and his former deputy Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam also said they had received substantial abuse from the public while carrying out their roles.
Mr Johnson, Sir Chris and Sir Patrick talked to journalists at Downing St during the pandemic
Several witnesses accused Matt Hancock of lying during his tenure as Health Secretary, which he denied
Sir Jonathan revealed he and his family had received death threats, while Sir Patrick said he had also considered resigning over abuse.
Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has given evidence several times.
Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara told the inquiry that she struggled "to pick one day" when Covid rules were properly followed inside a "macho" and "toxic" No 10.
He told the inquiry that the UK's pandemic strategy had been completely wrong, and later denied that he lied to colleagues, while admitting the UK should have locked down much sooner.
Dominic Cummings was highly critical of former MP Boris Johnson's approach
Hancock also criticised the "toxic culture" in government, for which he blamed Johnson's former adviser Dominic Cummings.
In his evidence, Mr Cummings described a "dysfunctional" government with no plans to lock down the country or shield the vulnerable.
In his evidence, Mr Cummings described a "dysfunctional" government and was very critical of Johnson's approach. The hearing also discussed scathing text messages he sent, many of which contained offensive descriptions of ministers and officials.
The inquiry heard scathing text messages which he sent, many of which contained offensive descriptions of ministers and officials.
Mr Cummings said he regretted the handling of his infamous trip to Barnard Castle during the first lockdown, but denied that he had damaged public trust in the government.
He said he regretted the disastrous handling of his infamous trip to Barnard Castle during the first lockdown, but denied his actions had damaged public trust.
Covid inquiry WhatsApps paint picture of chaos
Covid inquiry WhatsApps paint picture of chaos
How inquiry is exposing deep flaws in Covid decision-making
How inquiry is exposing deep flaws in Covid decision-making
Who gave evidence during the first round of public hearings?
The inquiry also heard from Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish political leaders, including:
The first public hearings examining the UK's resilience and preparedness, external began in June 2023.
former Scottish First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf
The inquiry took evidence from 69 independent experts and former and current government officials and ministers.
former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford
Prof Dame Sally Davies tells the Covid inquiry that "it wasn't just the deaths, it was the way they died".
current Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O'Neill and former First Minister Baroness Foster
These included former health secretaries Jeremy Hunt and Matt Hancock, former PM David Cameron and former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.
How can the public get involved in the Covid inquiry?
Sir Chris, his predecessor Prof Dame Sally Davies and Sir Patrick also gave evidence during the first hearings.
Groups representing bereaved families have urged the inquiry to ensure these voices are heard.
Covid Inquiry: What have we learnt so far?
Anyone can share their experience through the inquiry's Every Story Matters, external project, and apply to attend public hearings in person., external
Who gave evidence during the hearings in Northern Ireland?
Public hearings are also streamed on the BBC News website and the inquiry's YouTube channel, external.
Across 12 days of hearings in May 2024, the inquiry took evidence from senior politicians, including First Minister Michelle O'Neill, former Health Minister Robin Swann and former First Minister Baroness Foster.
In addition, witness transcripts are published on the inquiry website., external
During her evidence, Lady Foster rejected suggestions the Northern Ireland Executive "sleepwalked" into the pandemic.
Separately, Ms O'Neill apologised for attending senior republican Bobby Storey's funeral during lockdown, when she was deputy first minister.
Mr Swann said meetings he had attended on Covid rules in November 2020 had been the "lowest days" he had experienced in politics.
Other witnesses included civil servants, experts and groups representing bereaved families, older people and those with disabilities.
Sorrys and surprises as O'Neill and Foster face inquiry
'Devastating evidence' as Covid policy scrutinised
Who gave evidence during the hearings in Wales?
Most of the hearings in March 2024 focused on the first wave of the pandemic.
The inquiry heard from 34 witnesses, including former First Minister Mark Drakeford, who likened then Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the crisis to an "absent" football manager.
Former First Minister Mark Drakeford criticised Boris Johnson's leadership during the pandemic
A number of witnesses accused the Welsh government of issuing conflicting, contradictory and confusing guidance and criticised the:
approach to personal protection equipment (PPE)
treatment of care home residents
decision to close schools
The cancellation of the Wales v Scotland Six Nations rugby match, in March 2020, 24 hours before it had been due to start, was referenced several times.
Kirsten Heaven, counsel for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families Cymru said there had been a "passive, slow and disjointed" early response to the pandemic.
She criticised the "sloth-like urgency" of ministers' response and called for the publication of all relevant government WhatsApp messages
Andrew Kinnier KC, representing the Welsh government, said ministers accepted some policies had not worked as well as they had hoped but their decisions had been a "reasonable response to the unprecedented challenge to civil society".
Five things we learned from the Covid inquiry
Who gave evidence during the hearings in Scotland?
The use of WhatsApp by Scottish government advisers and ministers was a key issue during the January 2024 hearings.
Former First Minister Humza Yousaf apologised unreservedly for the Scottish government's failure to hand over relevant messages.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the inquiry that she and her government were "open, transparent and accountable"
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted that she deleted messages from the period.
But she insisted that she did not use these informal channels to reach decisions or to have substantial discussions and that everything of relevance was available on the public record.
Ms Sturgeon was emotional during some of her evidence and appeared to fight back tears as she told the inquiry that "part of me wishes I hadn't been [First Minister during the pandemic]".
The awkward Covid questions Nicola Sturgeon faced
UK Covid inquiry in Scotland: Five things we learned
