The Covid-19 inquiry and its work

It is critical for social work's voice to be heard

The Covid-19 inquiry, formally set up on 28 June 2022, is tasked with looking at the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic across the UK. Its primary purpose is to examine the UK’s response to, and the impact of, the Covid-19 pandemic and learn lessons for the future.

The Covid-19 inquiry has a UK-wide remit. There is also a Scottish Covid-19 inquiry looking at those areas where policy is devolved to the Scottish Government and the UK inquiry will work with the Scottish Inquiry to avoid duplication where possible.

According to its terms of reference, the Covid-19 inquiry has an extensive remit. Its work has been divided into a number of ‘modules’. Three of these of modules are currently active: resilience and preparedness; core UK decision-making and political governance; impact of Covid-19 on healthcare systems in the four nations of the UK.

Preliminary hearings – a hearing where procedural decisions are taken – have taken place for these three modules. Evidential hearings for Module 1 are expected to be in June 2023.

Future modules will be scheduled in due course. To date, the announced topics for future modules are: vaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatment; the care sector; government procurement and PPE; testing and tracing; the Government’s business and financial responses; health inequalities and the impact of Covid-19; education, children and young persons; other public services, including frontline delivery by key workers.

Some of these modules are of central importance to social work and social workers and BASW will communicate further with members as dates for these modules are announced. Baroness Hallett, chair of the Inquiry, has stated that she expects evidential hearings to end in Summer 2026.

The Inquiry is also seeking personal submissions through ‘Every Story Matters’. Anyone who wishes to do so can share their own stories and experiences of the pandemic with the Inquiry online here, including a section on what could be learned and what could be done better or differently. Other formats are available on request via the email address at the bottom of the ‘Every Story Matters’ webpage.