Johnson government wasted £10bn on PPE during Covid, inquiry reveals

The UK government, led by Boris Johnson, wasted approximately £10 billion on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Covid-19 inquiry chair, Heather Hallett. The findings, released on Friday, criticized the government's use of a controversial "VIP lane" that prioritized contracts for companies with political connections.

Inquiry Findings on PPE Procurement

Hallett's report indicates that the nation's stockpile of PPE and essential healthcare equipment was grossly inadequate at the onset of the pandemic. The inquiry highlighted that the government spent about £14.9 billion on PPE, with nearly two-thirds, or £10 billion, deemed wasted due to poor procurement practices.

Among the contracts awarded through the VIP lane, PPE Medpro, linked to Conservative peer Michelle Mone, received two contracts worth £203 million. Hallett stated, “The ‘high priority lane’…embedded unfairness in the procurement,” contributing to a lack of public trust during a critical time.

Impact of the VIP Lane on Public Trust

The inquiry's findings have been welcomed by families affected by Covid-19, who believe that the procurement failures significantly contributed to the loss of their loved ones. Pete Weatherby KC, a lawyer for the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, emphasized the need for accountability: “We must scrutinize whether cronyism and corruption allowed chancers to make fabulous profits at the expense of all of us.”

Despite defense from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and other ministers, who argued that the VIP lane was essential for prioritizing credible offers, Hallett concluded that such a system should not have been established. She noted, “Although it was not intended, the system was inherently biased towards those with connections to the UK government.”

Recommendations for Future Procurement

Hallett made several recommendations to prevent similar issues in future pandemics, emphasizing the need for a transparent and fair procurement process. She stated, “The waste of public money was vast and could have been avoided.”

As the inquiry continues, Hallett's findings have raised questions about the effectiveness of the UK’s pandemic preparedness and the ethical implications of the procurement process during a public health crisis.