A devastating official report has concluded that the UK government’s “too little, too late” response to the Covid-19 pandemic led to tens of thousands of unnecessary deaths during the first wave. The inquiry found that a week-long delay in imposing the first lockdown alone resulted in at least 23,000 more deaths in England.
The nearly 800-page report, the second from the UK’s Covid-19 public inquiry, paints a picture of catastrophic failure at the highest levels of government. Inquiry Chair Baroness Hallett stated that while leaders faced unenviable choices, “all four governments failed to appreciate the scale of the threat or the urgency of response it demanded.”
Systemic Failures and “Toxic” Culture
The report catalogued a series of profound errors, including:
- Fatal Delays: Ministers relied on “misleading assurances” of preparedness and a flawed “herd immunity” strategy, delaying crucial restrictions until it was too late to avoid a lockdown.
- Repeated Mistakes: The same indecision was “inexcusably” repeated ahead of a second wave in autumn 2020, with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s hesitation leading to another delayed lockdown.
- A “Toxic and Chaotic” Culture: Decision-making in Downing Street was hampered by a dysfunctional environment, which undermined the quality of advice and policy.
- Rule-Breaking and Lost Trust: High-profile breaches of lockdown rules by government advisers, such as Dominic Cummings’ trip to Durham, “significantly” eroded public compliance.
- Unadvised Policies: The “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme was “devised in the absence of any scientific advice” and directly undermined public health messaging.
The inquiry also highlighted a failure to protect the most vulnerable, noting that the impact on older people, the disabled, and ethnic minorities was not adequately considered, and that the consequences of school closures on children were not properly weighed.
A “Devastating” Verdict and a Call for Change
While the report praised the “remarkable” vaccine rollout as a turning point, its findings were met with anger from bereaved families.
“It is devastating to think of the lives that could have been saved,” said Deborah Doyle of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, placing blame squarely on the leadership of Boris Johnson.
In response, Dominic Cummings accused the inquiry of “cover-ups and rewriting history,” claiming scientific advisers initially advocated for minimal restrictions. Boris Johnson has yet to comment.
The report concludes with recommendations to prevent a repeat, including reforming emergency decision-making structures, improving communication between the UK’s nations, and ensuring the impacts on vulnerable groups are central to future crisis planning.
By James Kisoo
