The Covid inquiry has released a report examining shortcomings in the government’s procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment during the pandemic. The investigation concluded that the country’s response to securing vital supplies was significantly hampered by inadequate planning and preparation, leaving healthcare workers and other key personnel at risk during the early stages of the crisis.
According to the findings, the UK wasted nearly £10 billion of public funds on PPE procurement, representing approximately two-thirds of the total £14.9 billion spent on such equipment by the UK and devolved governments. The report noted that while it was preferable to purchase excess supplies rather than face shortages, more careful calibration of supply and demand would have resulted in substantially lower costs and more efficient distribution. The inquiry chair emphasized that improved planning and systems would have enabled faster, fairer, and less expensive procurement decisions.
The country entered the pandemic with severe stockpile deficiencies. Pre-pandemic reserves contained large quantities of expired equipment, with only one-third of masks in England’s stockpile remaining usable. Scotland lacked adequate supplies of high-level FFP3 masks required for healthcare professionals. These shortages forced some staff members to resort to improvised protective measures, including the use of bin bags and reusing items.
The inquiry also examined the government’s VIP lane system, introduced in April 2020 to expedite PPE offers that came with recommendations from senior officials and politicians. The chair characterized this approach as a “misguided attempt at prioritisation” that created systematic unfairness, though she found no evidence of corruption or cronyism in contract awards. The report recommended such a system never be repeated in future emergencies.
A complete assessment of PPE Medpro, a company with over £200 million in government contracts linked to a Conservative peer, was excluded from the published findings due to an ongoing criminal investigation. The company has been ordered to repay £148 million following a High Court ruling on breach of contract. The inquiry conducted hearings across ten modules from June 2023 through March 2026, with reports being released starting in July 2024 and continuing through 2027.
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