The Covid inquiry has released its findings regarding failures in personal protective equipment supply during the pandemic, concluding that significant taxpayer funds were squandered through inadequate planning and procurement processes.
According to the inquiry, waste in pandemic PPE purchasing amounted to approximately two-thirds of the £14.9bn total expenditure by UK and devolved governments on protective equipment. Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett stated that although it was preferable to purchase excess PPE rather than insufficient quantities, better calibration between supply and demand would have produced more efficient outcomes. The report indicates that enhanced planning, information systems, and preparation would have enabled procurement decisions that were more equitable, cost-effective, and faster in delivering equipment to those requiring it.
The inquiry found that the UK entered the pandemic with its stockpile of masks, gowns, and gloves in poor condition. Only one-third of masks in England’s pre-pandemic stockpile were usable, and Scotland possessed no supplies of FFP3 masks necessary for healthcare professionals. At the time, some staff resorted to using improvised protective measures such as bin bags or washing and reusing equipment. Hallett emphasized that when governments failed to secure required supplies, key workers including healthcare staff faced increased personal risk.
The report was highly critical of the VIP lane system introduced in April 2020, which expedited PPE contract offers recommended by government ministers, MPs, and senior officials. Hallett characterized this as a “misguided attempt at prioritisation” that “embedded unfairness in emergency procurement.” While the inquiry found no evidence of cronyism or corruption in contract awards, the system was deemed “inherently biased towards those with connections to the UK government” and should not be repeated in future emergencies.
The inquiry did not include findings regarding PPE Medpro, a company awarded contracts exceeding £200m after being recommended by Conservative peer Baroness Michelle Mone. An ongoing National Crime Agency investigation into the firm has resulted in a court-ordered repayment of £148m for contract breaches, though reporting restrictions currently prevent publication of the related chapter.
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