UK Covid public inquiry to review collaboration between Westminster and Scottish governments during pandemic
The Uk-wide Covid-19 public inquiry will examine the collaboration between the UK and Scottish governments during the pandemic, it has been confirmed.
The inquiry, which is due to begin in 2023, will remain separatefromthescottish-specific inquiry chaired by Lady Poole and will try to avoid crossover, according to updated recommendations.
Inalettersettingouthervision for the scope of the Uk-wide inquiry, chair Baroness Heather Hallet recommended it be centred on inequalities “so that investigation into the unequal impacts of the pandemic runs through the whole inquiry”.
The recommended terms of reference will also now include the impact of the pandemic on mental health and on children and young people, along with areassuchaspandemicpreparedness and resilience.
It follows a four-week consultation in which more than 20,000 people responded. Baroness Hallett and her team also met bereaved families and representatives from Scotland and across the UK.
It now falls to Prime Minister Borisjohnsontoacceptthenew termsofreference,althoughitis expected that he will do so.
The inquiry is due to begin with public hearings in 2023. Baroness Hallett wrote: “The consultation revealed areas where the terms of reference could be improved. I have listenedtocompellingarguments to focus on children and young people, the mental health and wellbeing of the UK populationandcollaborationbetween regional,devolvedandnational government, and the voluntary and community sector.
"I am therefore asking you to expand the terms of reference to include these issues.”
The terms of reference also include “intergovernmental decision-making”, as well as thecommunicationandimplementation of decisions.
Theukcovidinquiryis“committedtominimisinganyduplicationofinvestigation,evidence gathering and reporting” with the Scottish inquiry.
According to the consultation report, the two inquiries will aim to work together on any areas of overlap.
"We will aim to arrange proceedings so that the Scottish Inquiry examines issues relating to devolved matters first, so that the UK Inquiry can consider whether any additional examination is genuinely necessary,” a spokesperson said.