What does the UK Covid inquiry involve and how is it conducted?

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has entered a new phase, examining the measures introduced to protect workers incomes and sustain businesses during the pandemic. This follows the release of the inquirys second report, which criticised the governments response as delayed and insufficient. Between March 2020 and May 2023, nearly 227,000 lives were lost to the virus across the country, before the World Health Organization declared the global emergency over.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson established the inquiry in June 2022, more than a year after pledging that the governments actions would be scrutinised in detail. His decision came amid pressure from campaigners representing families who lost loved ones to Covid-19. The inquiry examines the choices made across the UKs governments, including those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Public hearings began in June 2023.

Public inquiries, funded by the government but led independently, have the power to summon witnesses. They do not pass verdicts but produce findings and recommendations, which the government is not required to implement. The inquirys chair, Baroness Hallett a former judge who led the 7/7 London bombings inquests is overseeing the process.

By December 2025, the BBC reported that inquiry-related costs for the government had exceeded 100 million, in addition to 192 million spent by the inquiry itself placing the total cost significantly higher than initially estimated.

Economic Support Under Review

The current phase focuses on the extraordinary financial interventions launched alongside the first lockdown in March 2020. Over 140 billion was directed toward businesses, with furlough alone supporting 11.7 million jobs between March 2020 and September 2021. Other measures included grants for the self-employed, government-backed loans and business rates relief.

However, concerns have emerged about the scale of spending and the weaknesses in preventing fraud. This module of the inquiry expected to run until shortly before Christmas has received more than 8,000 public submissions. Business owners described the devastation of closing premises and dismissing staff, while workers expressed fear for their employment. Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to provide further testimony on his role in developing the financial response.

Findings on Political Decision-Making

The inquirys second report assessed the political handling of the crisis. It concluded that lockdown might have been avoided if guidance encouraging isolation and social distancing had been introduced earlier than 16 March 2020. The report estimated that a weeks delay contributed to an additional 23,000 deaths during the first wave.

It also highlighted what it described as a chaotic and toxic environment within central government, which hindered the quality of advice and decision-making. More than 7,000 documents including private messages and confidential files were made public, offering a detailed view of internal discussions during the pandemic.

Preparedness and Early Failures

The first report, published in July 2024, found that the UK was inadequately prepared for a crisis of this scale. Baroness Hallett stated that the government and devolved administrations planned for the wrong type of pandemic and failed to sufficiently challenge scientific assumptions. The report urged significant reforms in emergency planning and drew attention to the human cost of the response.

Continuing Work and Future Reports

The inquiry is ongoing, with further modules still to examine healthcare system strain, vaccines, therapeutics and antiviral treatments. Final hearings are expected to begin in February 2026, with multiple reports to follow. Scotland is conducting its own separate inquiry alongside the UK-wide process.

Hundreds of witnesses have given evidence, including ministers, advisers, public health professionals and families who lost loved ones. Boris Johnson, opening his testimony in December 2023, apologised for the suffering caused and acknowledged that mistakes were made, though he defended ministers efforts under pressure.

Former Chancellor Sunak also expressed regret for the hardship people experienced, but rejected claims that his Eat Out to Help Out initiative worsened infection rates. Senior scientists, including Sir Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, told the inquiry they were not consulted on the policy and described receiving personal abuse during the pandemic.

Several witnesses accused former Health Secretary Matt Hancock of dishonesty, which he denied, though he acknowledged the nation should have locked down earlier. He criticised the governments volatile internal culture, while former adviser Dominic Cummings described a disorganised administration and expressed regret for his trip to Barnard Castle.

Leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf, Mark Drakeford, Michelle ONeill and Baroness Foster have also appeared before the inquiry to give accounts of their experiences and decisions.

Public Involvement

Campaigners representing bereaved families have pushed for personal stories to remain central to the process. The inquirys Every Story Matters initiative collected more than 47,000 accounts before closing in May 2025. Members of the public may attend hearings or watch them online, and transcripts are available through the inquirys official channels.

Author: Zoe Harrison