The Covid inquiry released a report examining governmental failures in personal protective equipment acquisition during the pandemic. The investigation found that approximately two-thirds of the £14.9 billion spent by UK and devolved governments on PPE represented wasteful spending, amounting to nearly £10 billion in squandered taxpayer funds. Additional tens of millions were spent on equipment that proved unusable.
Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett noted that while purchasing excess PPE during an emergency was preferable to shortages, more careful alignment between supply and demand would have resulted in fairer and more cost-effective procurement decisions. She emphasized that improved planning, information systems, and preparation would have enabled faster delivery of equipment to those requiring it. The country had entered the pandemic with stockpiles in poor condition, including large quantities of expired materials. In England, only one-third of the mask stockpile was functional, while Scotland had no supplies of the top-level FFP3 masks needed by healthcare workers. Staff shortages of protective gear led some workers to improvise with makeshift alternatives or reuse items.
The report criticized a VIP lane system introduced in April 2020 that prioritized PPE supply offers recommended by government ministers, MPs, peers, and senior officials. Hallett described this approach as a “misguided attempt at prioritisation” that created systemic unfairness, though she found no evidence of cronyism or corruption among those awarding contracts. The system was inherently biased toward those with government connections and should not be repeated in future emergencies.
The inquiry did not include findings on PPE Medpro due to an ongoing criminal investigation. The company received over £200 million in government contracts and was subsequently ordered to repay £148 million after breaching a supply agreement. The National Crime Agency investigation continues without charges filed to date. Reporting restrictions remain in place pending potential criminal proceedings.
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