Ongoing · Chair: Sir John Mitting · Established July 2015
Statutory inquiry examining undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces since 1968, focusing on the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU).
Statutory inquiry examining undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces since 1968, focusing on the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) and National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU). Tranche 1 interim report published 29 June 2023 (covering 1968–1982). Tranche 3 Phase 2 hearings started 2 February 2026. Final report not expected before 2028.
Inquiry website ↗ Terms of reference ↗
Public hearings have been held on 190 days, most recently on 21 September 2026.
Undercover Policing Inquiry: Tranche 1 Interim Report was published on 29 June 2023.
£144,597,900
Total reported cost to June 2026 Costs in detail38
mentions in Parliament Parliamentary activityHome Secretary Theresa May announced a public inquiry into undercover policing.
Evidence hearings commence examining deployments from 1968-1982.
Interim report published on Tranche 1 Phase 1 (1968-1982).
Evidence hearings for Tranche 2 Phase 1 ran July-August 2024.
Tranche 2 Phase 2 hearings began October 2024, running to February 2025.
Tranche 3 hearings examining SDS deployments 1993-2007, running October-December 2025.
| Period | Total | Inquiry legal | CP legal | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 (cum.) | £144,597,900 | Not reported | Not reported | Inquiry-published total expenditure to end June 2026; not final costs Source and qualificationsAccounting period: 16 Jul 2015 to 30 Jun 2026. Inquiry-published total expenditure to end June 2026; not final costs |
| Mar 2026 (cum.) | £137,067,000 | £64,040,300 | £23,284,000 | Cumulative expenditure to end March 2026 Source and qualificationsAccounting period: 16 Jul 2015 to 31 Mar 2026. Updated from £120.6m (Sep 2025). Tranche 3 Phase 2 hearings ongoing. Final report not expected before 2028. Funded by Home Office. Figures rounded to nearest £100.
|
Inquiry-published total expenditure to end June 2026; not final costs
Accounting period: 16 Jul 2015 to 30 Jun 2026.
Inquiry-published total expenditure to end June 2026; not final costs
Updated from £120.6m (Sep 2025). Tranche 3 Phase 2 hearings ongoing. Final report not expected before 2028. Funded by Home Office. Figures rounded to nearest £100.
Asked: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are considering converting the undercover policing inquiry from a statutory inquiry to a non-statutory inquiry; and if so, what relevance they consider the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to have to that co
Asked: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Public Office (Accountability) Bill will have an impact on the potential conversion of the Undercover Policing Inquiry from a statutory inquiry to a non-statutory inquiry.
Said: That this House expresses its grave concern at the mounting evidence emerging from the Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) of extremely serious police misconduct and corruption on a scale far outstripping expectations at the Inquiry’s inception; welcomes the numerous apologies issued by the Metropolitan Police Service …
Asked: To ask His Majesty's Government what has been the total cost to date of the Undercover Policing Inquiry; and how much has been paid to the Chair, Sir John Mitting.
Answered by Home Office: As of 30 June 2026, the Undercover Policing Inquiry had incurred a total expenditure of £144,597,900. The Chair’s remuneration forms part of the £28,931,400 published under “Inquiry staffing, including secretariat”. The Inquiry publishes a quarterly breakdown of its costs on its website: https://www.ucpi.org.uk/about-the-inquiry/#costs .
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Undercover Policing Inquiry will be brought to an end before it has heard from all eligible participants.
Answered by Home Office: The Home Office established the Undercover Policing Inquiry in 2015 to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry’s investigations continue and hearings for Tranche 3 are ongoing. This tranche covers the activities of the Special Demonstration Squad during the years 1967 to 2007. Further …
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will provide an update as to the current status of the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Answered by Home Office: The Home Office established the Undercover Policing Inquiry in 2015 to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales since 1968. The Inquiry’s investigations continue and hearings for Tranche 3 are ongoing. This tranche covers the activities of the Special Demonstration Squad during the years 1967 to 2007. Further …
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many members of staff are currently employed by the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Answered by Home Office: i) The Undercover Policing Inquiry employs 36 civil servants. An additional 99 staff are contracted or sourced through a managed services contract to provide other services, such as legal support. ii) The Inquiry’s first interim report was published in June 2023. This covered the Inquiry’s Tranche One investigations of the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) between 1968 and 1982 and did …
Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the annual operating cost of the Undercover Policing Inquiry in each financial year since its establishment.
Answered by Home Office: i) The Undercover Policing Inquiry employs 36 civil servants. An additional 99 staff are contracted or sourced through a managed services contract to provide other services, such as legal support. ii) The Inquiry’s first interim report was published in June 2023. This covered the Inquiry’s Tranche One investigations of the Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) between 1968 and 1982 and did …