Covid-19 Inquiry

In a statement to the House of Commons, the minister addressed the findings of the first module of the UK COVID-19 inquiry, led by Baroness Hallett. The minister expressed deep condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the pandemic, acknowledging the immense grief and heartbreak they have endured. The minister stated that the inquiry report confirms what many have long believed - that the country was not as prepared as it should have been, and that more could and should have been done to mitigate the devastating effects of the pandemic. Baroness Hallett's report is unequivocal in its assessment, finding that the UK was ill-prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency like the coronavirus pandemic. The minister highlighted the report's findings of fundamental failures of state, with poorly performing public services and health and social inequalities contributing to the country's vulnerability. The inquiry found that the UK had prepared for the wrong pandemic, with a focus on influenza to the effective exclusion of other potential pathogens. There was a lack of leadership, appropriate challenge, and oversight from ministers and officials, which allowed major gaps to open up in the UK's resilience in the period leading up to the pandemic. The minister acknowledged that the pandemic exposed the cracks in society, with the inequalities being particularly glaring. The report's findings on the impact on the most vulnerable, including the elderly, ethnic minorities, and those already subject to existing health inequalities, were particularly important. The minister stated that the underlying picture painted by the report is stark, with public services already stretched to their limit even before the pandemic hit. The minister emphasized that the government's first responsibility is to keep the public safe and that a long-term approach to strengthening national resilience is a top priority. The minister announced that a dedicated Cabinet Committee on resilience will be established to oversee the government's work in this area, and that the government will work with the devolved governments, regional mayors, and local leaders to consider the report's recommendations. The minister also highlighted the government's commitment to playing a full part in international efforts to improve global health and pandemic preparedness. The minister concluded by acknowledging the extraordinary service and sacrifice of frontline workers, as well as the generosity and kindness shown by communities across the country during the pandemic. The government is determined to learn the lessons from this inquiry and to prepare as best it can for the future, in order to fulfill its duty to the people it serves and to the memory of those who were lost.