Public Inquiry
UK COVID-19 Inquiry
Status: Ongoing
Chair: Baroness Heather Hallett
Established: Apr 2022
Commissioned by: Cabinet Office
Public inquiry examining the UK's response to and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and learning lessons for the future. The inquiry is examining preparedness, decision-making, health and social care, vaccines, and the impact on different communities.
Response breakdown
Data last updated: 16 Jul 2026 · Data verified: 14 Jul 2026 (Claude)
Key facts
Duration (ongoing): 4 years, 3 months
Total cost: £213.7m
Reports & milestones
Reports
Timeline
12 May 2021
Inquiry announced
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a statutory public inquiry.
· Source
15 Dec 2021
Chair Appointed
Baroness Hallett appointed as Chair.
04 Oct 2022
Preliminary Heari…
First preliminary hearing held.
13 Jun 2023
Module 1 hearings…
Module 1 examining preparedness and resilience began.
03 Oct 2023
Module 2 Hearings
Module 2 examining core UK decision-making.
15 Jan 2024
Module 2 Devolved…
Hearings examining Scottish, Welsh and NI decision-making.
Show all 15 milestones
09 Sep 2024
Module 3: Healthc…
Module 3 examining impact on healthcare systems began.
20 Nov 2025
Module 2 report p…
The Inquiry published its report on core UK decision-making and political governance (Modules 2, 2A, 2B and 2C).
· Source
31 Dec 2025
Further Modules P…
Modules on vaccines, care sector, and other topics planned through 2026.
05 Mar 2026
Hearings conclude
The Inquiry concluded its public hearings with Module 10, after 32 preliminary and 242 public hearing days involving …
· Source
19 Mar 2026
Module 3 report p…
The Inquiry published its report on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems in the four nations …
· Source
16 Apr 2026
Module 4 report p…
The Inquiry published its report on vaccines and therapeutics (Module 4).
· Source
Recommendations
| Code | Recommendation | Addressed to | Response | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-M4.1 |
The UK government should establish a standing pharmaceutical expert advisory panel, in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Care and …
|
Department of Health and Social Care | No Response | View → |
| COVID-M4.2 |
The UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive should maintain networks with local communities to produce targeted vaccination strategies …
|
UK Health Security Agency | No Published Response | View → |
| COVID-M4.3 |
Each of the four UK public health or health security agencies should work together to: maintain accurate, UK-wide insight into the state …
|
UK Health Security Agency | No Published Response | View → |
| COVID-M4.4 |
The UK government and devolved administrations should work together, with their respective health delivery services, to facilitate and coordinate regulatory bodies' access …
|
Medicines and Healthcare products Reg… | No Published Response | View → |
| COVID-M4.5 |
The UK government must reform the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme as soon as possible. The reform should include as a minimum: increasing …
|
Department for Work and Pensions | No Response | View → |
Parliamentary activity
9 debates
98 questions
36 statements
20 May 2026
Written Ministerial Statement
UK COVID-19 Inquiry response costs for Quarter 3 25/26
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour)
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour)
20 May 2026
Written Ministerial Statement
UK COVID-19 Inquiry response costs for Quarter 3 25/26
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour)
Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour)