On 31 August the COVID-19 Inquiry opened its second investigation, Module 2, focusing on government decision making.

Module 2 will review, and make recommendations upon the UK’s core political and administrative decision-making in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic between early January 2020 until February 2022. The scoping document to Module 2 confirmed that it “will pay particular scrutiny to the decisions taken by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, as advised by the Civil Service, senior political, scientific and medical advisers, and relevant Cabinet sub-committees, between early January and late March 2020, when the first national lockdown was imposed.”

Module 2A will examine key groups and individuals within the Scottish Government including the First Minister and other Scottish Ministers.

Module 2B will examine the decision-making of key groups and individuals within the government in Wales including the First Minister and other Welsh Ministers.

Module 2C will examine the decision-making of key groups and individuals within the government in Northern Ireland including the First Minister, deputy First Minister and other Ministers.

The Inquiry will hold preliminary hearings (in the devolved area where relevant) for Module 2, 2A, 2B and 2C from late autumn and witnesses will give evidence for Module 2 in summer 2023.

The deadline for applications for Core Participant for Module 2, 2A, 2B and 2C will close on 23 September. More information on how to apply is available in the Core Participant Protocol.

Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry said:

“The Inquiry has started its Module 2 investigations, scrutinising core political and administrative decision-making of the Westminster government. Related modules 2A, 2B and 2C will allow me to look at decisions taken in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“My team and I will establish what was understood about COVID-19 at the time, what information was available in each of the four UK nations and how and why key decisions were made, especially early in the pandemic.

“I will be taking evidence next year to build a full picture of the challenges faced by the UK and devolved governments and how each chose to confront them.”