Covid inquiry

“the total amount spent by the government between January 2020 and June 2022 exceeded £42bn”

“Only a third of the masks in England's pandemic stockpile were usable”

“In total the UK government was forced to write off £9.9bn worth of PPE that was either unused or out of date, as well as £157mn for unused healthcare equipment.”

“The 'ventilator challenge' programme, where suppliers were asked to develop breathing equipment at short notice, led to another £143m charge for designs that never made it into production.”

“In Scotland approximately £8mn of healthcare equipment, including PPE and testing kits, was written off.”

“In Wales £18mn was spent on unused PPE”

“in Northern Ireland £43mn of masks, gowns and gloves were at risk of expiry before they could be used.”

“In total, 48 witnesses gave oral evidence for this part of the inquiry in February and March 2025”

“£14.9bn the UK and devolved governments spent on PPE”