The third stage of the Covid-19 Inquiry will begin on Monday, focusing on the measures implemented to support workers’ incomes and sustain businesses during the pandemic. This phase will investigate the actions taken by the UK government, as well as devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including local authorities. Key areas of inquiry will include the design of financial support schemes, and efforts made to reduce fraud and waste.
The Treasury reports that £140 billion was allocated to business support, predominantly to cover wages for employees who were required to stay home. This follows a prior report from the inquiry, which stated the government acted “too little, too late” regarding political decision-making during the early phases of the pandemic.
Chaired by Baroness Hallett, this inquiry module is expected to last until just before Christmas and will specifically review the economic interventions introduced following the initial lockdown in March 2020. The largest initiative, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough), supported 11.7 million jobs from March 2020 to September 2021, costing £70 billion. It provided partial wage coverage to retain employees in a time of widespread business closures.
Other supports included assistance for self-employed individuals, various loan programs, and relief on business rates. While the rapid rollout of these programs received positive feedback, concerns regarding the adequacy of safeguards against fraud and their potential impact on workforce re-engagement have emerged.
Additionally, this inquiry module will evaluate extra funding for public services, including railways and support for the voluntary sector, as well as policies on benefits and sick pay for vulnerable populations. However, it will not investigate the broader economic implications of the pandemic.
Notable figures scheduled to provide testimony include Baroness Coffey and former Treasury officials, with Rishi Sunak, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, expected to appear in the coming weeks. The public hearings, part of Module 9, will continue for four weeks, concluding on December 18.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyp4g95re4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss