Approach
How will the Inquiry keep the public updated?
The Inquiry will publish updates on its work on its website and social media channels.
How did the Inquiry learn about the impacts of the pandemic?
The Inquiry commissioned its own research into the impacts of the pandemic and sought experts who produced reports for consideration in the Inquiry’s hearings.
Structure of the Inquiry
How will devolution impact the Inquiry?
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry looked at the handling of the pandemic in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and this includes reserved and devolved matters.
A separate Inquiry took place in Scotland, which evaluated areas where policy is devolved to the Scottish Government, as set out in its own Terms of Reference. The UK Inquiry worked with the Scottish Inquiry to avoid duplication of evidence and findings where possible.
What is a module?
The Inquiry split its investigations into sections, or modules, which have different subject topics. This ensured that the Inquiry’s investigations had sufficient breadth and depth.
Where can I find all of the announced modules?
The Inquiry has already announced Modules 1-10. You can find more information regarding these modules under the structure of the Inquiry page. Each module investigated issues across the UK, including in the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Hearings
When did the hearings begin?
The Inquiry held its first preliminary hearing for Module 1, on 4 October 2022, since then many preliminary and evidential public hearings have taken. The Inquiry held its last hearing with Module 10, on 5 March 2026.
What is a public hearing?
Public hearings (or substantive hearings) are when the Inquiry considers evidence, examines the facts and investigates what happened in order to make findings and recommendations.
Inquiries always have an independent chairperson, often a judge or former judge, appointed by a minister. The Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is Baroness Heather Hallett. During the hearings, the Inquiry called witnesses to give evidence. Witnesses gave evidence under oath and were questioned by Counsel to the Inquiry. Counsel for Core Participants in the Inquiry were also permitted to ask questions with the Chair’s permission.
An Inquiry is an inquisitorial process: the Inquiry is established to examine the facts and to find out exactly what happened. This is different from an adversarial process.
What is the difference between preliminary and public hearings?
A preliminary hearing is a procedural hearing at which decisions about the procedure for the conduct of public hearings will be made. At public hearings the Inquiry will formally hear evidence, including from witnesses under oath.
How can the public watch hearings?
Recorded livestreams of all hearings will be available to the public via the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. The Inquiry has also published transcripts of all the hearings, these can be found under the Inquiry Documents.
Participating
Can I submit evidence to the Inquiry?
The Inquiry has concluded hearings and it is no longer possible to submit evidence to the Inquiry.
What is Every Story Matters?
Every Story Matters was the process the Inquiry set up to provide an opportunity for people to tell us about their experiences of the pandemic without the formality of giving evidence or attending a public hearing. These experiences were collated, analysed and fed into the legal hearings via summary reports.
Core Participants
What is a Core Participant?
A Core Participant is a person, institution or organisation that has a specific interest in the work of the Inquiry, and has a formal role defined by legislation. Core Participants have special rights in the Inquiry process. These include receiving documentation, being represented and making legal submissions, suggesting questions and receiving advance notice of the Inquiry’s report.