COVID Inquiry’s True Cost Skyrockets Past £290 Million Amid Government Clash

Millenium TV has learned that the government’s expenditure in responding to the independent Covid pandemic inquiry has now exceeded £100 million. This additional cost significantly inflates the overall taxpayer burden, which, combined with the inquiry’s own £192 million spending, now surpasses £290 million – more than 50% higher than previously estimated.

The substantial government outlay primarily covers legal counsel and extensive staffing, with a team of 248 individuals currently deployed across key departments to compile evidence for the ongoing investigation. However, sources close to the inquiry have privately expressed to Millenium TV concerns regarding the government’s approach, describing it as at times “hostile and difficult,” alleging instances of information obstruction and delayed document submissions.

Launched in 2022, the inquiry is not expected to deliver its final report until 2027, and its own costs are projected to climb beyond £200 million, positioning it among the most expensive public inquiries in history. The investigation is structured into ten distinct modules, yet only two, focusing on pandemic preparedness and government decision-making, have been concluded to date. A detailed examination of departmental records reveals that government bodies incurred approximately £101 million in expenses between April 2023 and June 2025. This bulk of spending is largely attributed to five major departments: the Cabinet Office, Home Office, Department of Health and Social Care, Treasury, and the UK Health Security Agency, all of whom have faced repeated requests for evidence. Notably, these financial estimates do not account for the time officials dedicate to preparing for and appearing as witnesses.

A significant portion, over half of the £101 million, has been allocated to legal fees, including the engagement of external counsel. One inquiry insider suggested that this expenditure, to some extent, mirrors a “defensive attitude” from the government. Indeed, the inquiry’s chair, Baroness Hallett, alongside its legal team, has previously criticized government departments for delays in providing necessary documents and for impeding the release of critical information. This tension culminated in a high-profile High Court battle in 2023, where the government’s refusal to release former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages, diaries, and notebooks was challenged, a case the government ultimately lost.

A spokesperson for the Cabinet Office affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the inquiry’s work and to “learning lessons from the pandemic to ensure the UK is better prepared for a future pandemic.” The Cabinet Office also clarified that its decision to pursue the High Court case was intended to establish legal clarity on the principle of an inquiry’s right to request information deemed irrelevant by the provider.

The escalating costs have drawn sharp criticism. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, condemned the situation, stating, “It’s an absolute disgrace that ministers have burnt through an extra £100m on top of what the inquiry itself has already spent. These new figures show the total cost to taxpayers will be far higher than previously feared. Ministers must urgently get a grip on the spiralling costs of the Covid Inquiry and commit to delivering answers swiftly and efficiently.”

Representing the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK, a spokesperson emphasized the “vital” nature of the inquiry’s work, asserting that any current costs would be significantly recouped in the future if lessons learned could mitigate the economic and human toll of a subsequent pandemic. However, the spokesperson also noted that “The inquiry process is far from perfect,” advocating for greater efficiency and a less adversarial approach in public inquiries, citing their support for the proposed Hillsborough Law, which aims to strengthen public authorities’ legal duty to assist such investigations.

A spokesperson for the Covid inquiry acknowledged its unprecedented scale, explaining that its broad scope is necessary to investigate the multifaceted impacts of a pandemic that touched every aspect of society. They reiterated that the chair had made it clear from the outset that such an undertaking would require significant time and financial investment, but that its ultimate recommendations are designed to bolster the UK’s resilience against future pandemics. The inquiry declined to comment on the specifics of its relationship with the government.