An array of failures and weaknesses will be laid out in full as part of the first report published by the Covid Inquiry, which is due to be released on Thursday (July 18).
Baroness Hallett, who is chairing the public inquiry, will set out her findings around midday.
The first of at least nine reports, the review will cover everything to do with the Covid pandemic that hit the world, but it will take a closer look at the UK response, analysing all aspects from the political decision-making, the vaccine rollout and effectiveness, and the impact on children during that time.
The report will also look at the state of the healthcare system, stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the planning that was in place.
During the hearings, which began on June 28, 2022, a total of 69 experts and politicians, including former Prime Minister David Cameron and former Health Secretaries Jeremy Hunt and Matt Hancock, gave evidence. Then-PM Boris Johnson was also one who admitted during his evidence that that there were decisions that his government “could and should have” made to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
However, Mr Johnson denied that he had made major mistakes and attempted to defend the behaviour of his top leadership team. While admitting to some errors over the virus outbreak, saying there were “clearly things we could and should have done if we had known and understood how fast it was spreading”, Mr Johnson insisted these lessons were only apparent in retrospect.The former prime minister also defended the Downing Street culture during his time on the stand, rejecting claims that the atmosphere was toxic and dysfunctional. He maintained that the working culture led to better decisions being made.
But the report is set to rubbish these claims, finding there had been an “over-reliance” on vaccines that would have no impact on a Covid virus and “an acceptance that only so much could be done to curb the spread of a new virus”.
Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the inquiry the UK should have been paying more attention to Asian countries such as Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea, in knowing how to deal with the first outbreak of the illness. Countries such as these saw the first outbreaks worldwide and launched action immediately, suppressing the initial wave by rolling out targeted test, trace and quarantine systems and establishing border controls.
This in turn was said to have helped reduce the number of deaths and limited the use of lockdowns.
Lady Hallett is also expected to likely address why the government failed to act on the recommendations made when the civil service ran Exercise Alice, in 2016, simulating a major Mers outbreak.
Other points of interest noted in the report are expected to talk about the state the NHS was in at the time of the outbreak, and how it has been left since.
England's former chief medical officer Prof Dame Sally Davies was heavily critical of the state of the NHS in giving her evidence, saying it had fewer doctors, nurses, beds and ventilators than in similar countries and therefore struggled to deal with the outbreak.
University College epidemiology professor Sir Michael Marmot told the panel that the UK had entered the pandemic with "depleted" public services from the get-go, leaving it less able to cope.
What is the UK Covid-19 inquiry?
The independent inquiry examined the UK’s response to Covid-19, intending to improve preparedness for any future pandemic. It was chaired by Heather Hallett, a member of the House of Lords and a former Court of Appeal judge.
According to its official website, the Covid inquiry “has been set up to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid pandemic, and learn lessons for the future”.
The inquiry was split into two modules, which explored how prepared the UK was for the pandemic, how decisions were made during the pandemic, and how it impacted the healthcare system and the people who work in it and use it.
The inquiry also closely scrutinised the political decisions relating to lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social isolation during the pandemic.
You can find out more about the inquiry here.
When did the UK Covid-19 inquiry begin?
The first module of the Covid inquiry opened on July 21, 2022.
However, the full hearings for the first stage of the investigation began in London on June 13, 2023. For the next six weeks, witnesses provided evidence.
How long will the UK Covid-19 inquiry last?
Those behind the inquiry said they aimed to complete the public hearings by the summer of 2026. However, legal experts said it will probably last until 2027. It is expected to cost tens of millions of pounds.
Who is speaking at the UK Covid-19 inquiry?
Several key figures are set to speak at the Covid inquiry — and already have.
Lee Cain, the former director of communications for Boris Johnson, and Imran Shafi, a private secretary, testified in October 2022.
The former prime minister's former chief aide, Dominic Cummings, also gave evidence in November 2023.
England's chief medical officer, Sir Chris Whitty, and his former deputy Jonathan Van-Tam did likewise.
Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser to the Government from 2018 to 2023, also testified in November.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, is among the ministers to have appeared at the inquiry so far. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also appeared in December.
