The Covid public inquiry is set to begin hearings focusing on the government's substantial expenditure of £48 billion on medical supplies during the pandemic. Nearly 10% of these contracts were awarded to firms connected with the ruling Conservative government, raising suspicions among bereaved families of a potential cover-up. The inquiry will scrutinize contract values, spending oversights, and the controversial 'VIP lane' for expedited supplier recommendations, with some suppliers notably absent from testimony. Approximately 50 witnesses, including legal experts and transparency advocates, are expected to address the government’s handling of procurement and associated fraud risks.
The inquiry will explore a staggering £48bn expenditure on PPE, test-and-trace programs, and vaccines during the pandemic, raising concerns about transparency and equity.
Bereaved families fear a 'potential whitewash' as PPE suppliers are omitted from the testimony lineup, questioning the depth of accountability in the inquiry.
The government leveraged a 'VIP lane' for rapid procurement of PPE based on high-level recommendations, resulting in disparities in contract awards among suppliers.
A National Audit Office report indicated significant discrepancies, revealing that only 10% of suppliers in the VIP lane received contracts compared to less than 1% of others.
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