⚠️ Covid-19 Inquiry

• Government Acknowledgment and Apology: Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, acknowledged the findings of Baroness Hallett’s inquiry report from July of the previous year, which stated that the UK was not adequately prepared for the Covid-19 pandemic. He expressed condolences to those who lost loved ones and commended the work of volunteers who looked after memorial sites.

• Formation of New Structures:
  • Establishment of a Cabinet Committee for resilience chaired by McFadden.
  • Launch of the UK Resilience Academy in April to train individuals in handling various emergency situations, including pandemics.
  • Commitment to a new national resilience strategy with upcoming reviews and legislative updates.
• Testing and Preparedness Measures:
  • Plans for a full national test of the emergency alert system.
  • Conducting a national pandemic response exercise in the Autumn to assess capabilities across the UK.
• Addressing Disparities:
  • Development of a new national vulnerability map to better understand and serve communities disproportionately affected by crises.
• Updating Risks Assessment:
  • Release of an updated national risk register to reflect evolving threats and guide planning and preparation.
• Leadership and Accountability:
  • Support for a lead role by the Cabinet Office during large-scale emergencies, while maintaining departmental leadership in smaller, day-to-day issues.
  • Establishment of expert advisory groups and enhancement of training for independent challenge to government actions.
• Public Reaction and Future Preparations:
  • Parliament members expressed varied reactions, from support for the detailed plans to skepticism about the inquiry’s duration and focus. Concerns were raised about ensuring timely decision-making, accountability, and adequate funding for resilience forums.
• Commitment to Transparency:
  • Emphasis on transparency, including sharing outcomes of exercises and investigations, and fostering accountability in public sector responses.

The session highlighted the government’s efforts to learn from past mistakes, enhance national resilience, and better prepare for future crises, with a focus on both immediate action and long-term systemic improvements.

Throughout the session, the discussion was largely centered around constructive debate on the government’s response to the first module of the covid inquiry. Most members expressed condolences and a desire for better preparation for future pandemics, with only occasional critiques of past mistakes. Overall, the tone remained focused on collaboration rather than major conflict, warranting a relatively low disagreement rating.