The Covid-19 Inquiry (the "Inquiry") has announced three new investigations opening in 2023:
- Module 4, which is to open on 5 June, will examine vaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatment across the UK. The scope for Module 4 will be published on the Inquiry website on 5 June and the Core Participant application window will be open from 5 June to 30 June 2023. The Inquiry plans to hear evidence for this investigation in the summer of 2024.
- Module 5 will examine Government Procurement across the UK. The Inquiry will open this investigation in October 2023, and the Core Participant application window will be open from 24 October 2023 to 17 November 2023. Evidence hearings are scheduled for early 2025.
- Module 6 will examine the care sector across the UK and will open in December 2023. The Core Participant application window will be open from 12 December 2023 to 19 January 2024. Public hearings will begin in spring 2025.
Further details for each investigation, including the scope of the investigation and details on how to apply to be a Core Participant, will be published on the Inquiry's website when they open. See also here and here for our previous updates on what it means to be a Core Participant.
The Chair has also stated that she hopes to publish reports for Module 1 (preparedness and resilience) and Module 2 (core decision making) during 2024 in order to comply with her wish to ensure the Inquiry's recommendations are timely.
The Inquiry has also stated that it will announce the next 12 months’ investigations in early 2024. Future investigations will cover testing and tracing, education, children and young persons, Governmental intervention by way of financial support for business, jobs, and the self-employed, additional funding of public services and the voluntary/community sector, benefits and support for vulnerable people. The Inquiry’s final modules will specifically investigate impact and inequalities in the context of public services – including key workers – and in the context of businesses. The Inquiry is UK-wide and will examine the responses of both the devolved and UK Government throughout all of its work.
The public hearings for Module 1 will commence on 13 June 2023 and Baroness Hallett has stated that the Inquiry is aiming to complete all public hearings by summer 2026.
We will continue to monitor the progress of the Inquiry and to provide regular updates. If you are considering Core Participant Status and want to be involved in the Inquiry, please contact us.
