What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?

"Getty Images The Covid Inquiry's second report, into political decisions during the pandemic, will be published on Thursday. In July 2024, the inquiry's first report said the UK's flawed preparations had led to more deaths and greater economic damage than there should have been. Just under 227,000 people died in the UK from Covid between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization said the "global health emergency" was over."

"Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched the Covid inquiry in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government's actions during the pandemic would be put "under the microscope". The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group said it was considering launching a judicial review over government "time-wasting". The inquiry covers decision-making by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland."

"They can compel witnesses to give evidence. No-one is found guilty or innocent, but an inquiry publishes conclusions and recommendations, which the government is not obliged to accept. The Covid inquiry's chair is former judge and crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, who previously led the inquests into the 7 July London bombings. She said that loss and suffering would be at the heart of the inquiry, and that it would be "firmly independent"."

The Covid Inquiry investigated pandemic decision-making across the UK and published its first report in July 2024, finding flawed preparedness increased deaths and economic harm. Just under 227,000 people died from Covid in the UK between March 2020 and May 2023, during the World Health Organization's global health emergency period. The inquiry, launched in June 2022, examines actions by the UK, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations and follows public hearings in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. Public inquiries can compel evidence, publish conclusions and recommendations, and are led by an independent chair.

Read at www.bbc.com