Bold claim: the Covid inquiry is costing taxpayers more than a hundred million pounds, on top of the inquiry’s own 192 million, making the total price tag surprisingly high. The BBC’s review shows government spending—covering legal advice and staffing—amounted to about £101 million from April 2023 to June 2025, with the bulk tied to five departments repeatedly asked to provide evidence. This figure does not include the time officials spend preparing and appearing as witnesses.
The inquiry, which began in 2022, is not expected to finish until 2027 and already stands as one of the most expensive public inquiries in history, with total costs likely surpassing £200 million. There are ten modules in total, but only two—pandemic preparedness and government decision-making—have concluded so far. Critics from both sides are raising concerns about the process, noting delays, information blocks, and a sometimes confrontational stance from the government.
A key flashpoint occurred in 2023 when the inquiry and the government clashed in the High Court over access to Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages, diaries, and notebooks; the government lost that case. Sources describe a massive operation that occasionally felt hostile toward the inquiry, while Cabinet Office officials insist the government is fully committed to supporting the inquiry and learning lessons for future preparedness.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance branded the spending an outright disgrace, urging ministers to curb costs and deliver faster, clearer answers. By contrast, Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK recognizes the vital nature of the inquiry and argues that the benefits—reducing the cost and human impact of future pandemics—will far outweigh the current expenditures. Still, they concede the process could be more efficient and less adversarial.
Ultimately, supporters argue the scope is unusually broad, given the pandemic’s widespread impact, and that the resulting recommendations could strengthen the UK’s readiness for the next health crisis. Opponents worry about spiraling costs and question whether the inquiry’s structure and conduct can be improved without compromising access to justice. How should public inquiries balance thorough investigation with timely, cost-effective results, and what reforms would you suggest to ensure faster, more cooperative information sharing in the future?
