Nick Triggle, Jim Reed, Dom Hughes and Michelle RobertsBBC News Getty Images The long-awaited independent report into how well or badly the government handled the Covid pandemic has been published. Chairwoman of the inquiry, former judge Baroness Hallett, said the UK’s response could be summarised as “too little, too late”. The report looks at whether…
Alison Holt,Social affairs editor, Ewan Somerville and Kate Whannel,Political reporter Getty Images Trans people could be asked about whether they should be accessing single-sex services based on their physical appearance or behaviour, new guidance seen by the BBC has said. A code of practice, produced by the equalities watchdog and awaiting ministerial approval, says it…
Jim ReedHealth reporter, Covid inquiry Mark Tilley Mark Tilley worked as an ambulance technician in south-east England through the first two waves of the pandemic Ambulance crews faced crucial delays trying to save dying patients in the pandemic because of the time it took to put on protective equipment, the Covid inquiry has been told….
Alison Holt,Social affairs editor and Becky Morton,Political reporter Getty Images The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to exempt social care from the rise in National Insurance. The party said the chancellor had provided extra funding for the NHS and other public sector organisations to cover the cost of the tax rise – but…
Getty Images The government ignored an early warning by two Nobel prize-winning scientists that all healthcare workers should be routinely tested for coronavirus in the pandemic, the Covid inquiry has heard. The advice came in a strongly-worded letter sent in April 2020 by the chief executive of the Francis Crick Institute, Sir Paul Nurse, and…
The government did not start planning for the closure of schools until the day before the decision was made, the Covid-19 inquiry has heard. Up until 16 March 2020, focus had been on keeping schools open, so there were no contingency plans in place, according to evidence given by the former education secretary Gavin Williamson….
Jamie MorrisSouth of England Getty Images Children and young people from Dorset have spoken at the Covid Inquiry this week A teenager from Dorset has told the Covid-19 inquiry her ongoing symptoms often leave her feeling “left out”. The inquiry hopes to understand the ongoing impact of the pandemic and is expected to last four…
Vanessa ClarkeEducation reporter Closing schools in Covid ‘a nightmare idea’, former PM Boris Johnson says Papers in hand, Boris Johnson arrived at the Covid Inquiry before the sun came up. He was there to answer questions on decisions he made during the pandemic that directly impacted children. And what an impact they had. School attendance,…
BBC It was the most momentous event in UK history since World War Two. As a new virus took hold, millions of us were told to stay at home and billions of pounds were spent propping up the country’s economy. The Covid inquiry will publish its second set of findings on Thursday, looking in detail…
Nikki FoxEast of England health correspondent ORTHOPAEDIC ACADEMY Surgeon Kuldeep Stohr had worked at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, since 2012 Lawyers representing more than 50 people treated by a surgeon being investigated over allegations of botched operations have written to Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for a public inquiry. The patients were children when they were…
