Key facts
- The UK government wasted approximately £10 billion on PPE during the pandemic.
- An inquiry chaired by Baroness Hallett criticized a 'VIP lane' that prioritized politically connected companies.
- The inquiry found the UK's initial PPE stockpile was inadequate, leaving healthcare staff vulnerable.
- Nearly two-thirds of the £14.9 billion spent on PPE was wasted.
- Recommendations include overhauling emergency procurement and developing a domestic industry strategy for healthcare equipment.
A public inquiry into the UK's Covid-19 pandemic response has concluded that the government, under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, wasted billions of pounds on personal protective equipment (PPE) due to flawed procurement processes. The inquiry chair, Baroness Hallett, specifically criticized the 'high priority lane,' or 'VIP lane,' which gave preferential treatment to companies with political connections.
Hallett stated that this 'misguided attempt' to prioritize credible offers 'embedded unfairness' and undermined public trust. The inquiry found that out of approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds, or almost £10 billion, was wasted. The nation's initial stockpile of PPE was also found to be 'perilous' and inadequate, leaving healthcare and social care workers without the necessary equipment to protect themselves and those in their care.
While the inquiry did not find evidence of cronyism or corruption on the part of ministers and officials in final contracting decisions, Hallett emphasized that the 'VIP lane' should not have been established and must not be repeated. Families of Covid victims, represented by the Covid Bereaved Families for Justice group, welcomed the report's findings, calling it a 'catastrophic failure' that cost lives. They expressed skepticism about the inquiry's conclusion that the VIP system was not intended to be corrupt, with one family member stating it was a 'deliberate and shameful choice' that allowed a few to profit while PPE did not reach those in need.