UK Covid-19 public inquiry

 

The government set up the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (the Inquiry) to examine the UK's preparedness and response to the pandemic, and to learn lessons for the future. Its chair is Baroness Heather Hallett DBE. The inquiry was officially launched on 21 July 2022. During the launch the Chair set out her approach to the inquiry as well as the timetable. The Chair is taking a modular approach to the Inquiry and to date she has announced six and opened four modules, with teams set up across the UK to investigate each one. Further modules will be announced in due course.

The public hearings for module 2 will commence on 3 October 2023 and will conclude on 14 December 2023. The Chair plans to publish an interim report after the hearings conclude. Module 2 will look into core political and administrative governance and decision-making for the UK. It will include the initial response, central government decision making, political and civil service performance as well as the effectiveness of relationships with governments in the devolved administrations and local and voluntary sectors. Module 2 will also assess decision-making about non-pharmaceutical measures and the factors that contributed to their implementation. Module 2 opened on 31 August 2022 with evidence gathered through rule 9 requests under the Inquiries Rules 2006 and three preliminary hearings. The inquiry is also conducting a listening exercise where members of the public, including people working in the health sector, can share their experiences with the inquiry. Information gathered through the listening exercise will be analysed and reported to the inquiry.

If you are a trust, and would like to get in touch with us about the inquiry, please contact senior inquiry and legislation manager Finola Kelly or head of policy and public affairs Ferelith Gaze.