The UK Covid-19 inquiry has concluded that Boris Johnson's government wasted nearly £10 billion of public money on personal protective equipment (PPE) due to flawed procurement practices during the pandemic. The report, led by Chair Heather Hallett, criticised the controversial 'VIP lane' that prioritised contracts for companies with political connections to the Conservatives.
VIP Lane and Cronyism Concerns
The most high-profile scandal involved PPE Medpro, a newly formed company linked to former Conservative peer Michelle Mone. It was awarded two contracts worth £203 million after Mone approached then-Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove in May 2020. Hallett's findings on PPE Medpro are withheld pending a National Crime Agency investigation.
Hallett stated: 'The high priority lane, also known as the VIP lane, was a misguided attempt to give priority to the most credible offers,' adding that it 'embedded unfairness' in procurement. She found that 'some suppliers received favourable treatment because they had connections to government, undermining public trust at a moment when it was needed most.'
Massive Waste and Inadequate Stockpile
The report revealed that of approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds—almost £10 billion—was wasted. Of that, £4.2 billion was paid on VIP lane contracts. Hallett noted: 'The UK entered the pandemic with an inadequate stockpile of PPE and plans that had never been stress-tested.'
During hearings in March 2025, Pete Weatherby KC, lawyer for Covid Bereaved Families for Justice (CBFFJ), which represents about 7,000 bereaved families, called for scrutiny of 'cronyism, unfair advantage and corruption.'
Defence and Denials
Matt Hancock, then health secretary, and other ministers defended the VIP lane, arguing it helped prioritise credible offers. Theodore Agnew, a Cabinet Office minister at the time, told the inquiry it was 'bollocks' to suggest the VIP lane was 'some kind of plan by rightwing people trying to enrich themselves.'
Hallett concluded that the inquiry 'has not identified cronyism or corruption on the part of ministers and officials in final contracting decisions,' but said the VIP lane 'should not have been established and must not be repeated.'
Impact on Healthcare Workers and Families
The report found that doctors, nurses, and care workers could not adequately protect themselves or patients due to insufficient PPE. CBFFJ members stated: 'Many believe their loved ones died, at least in part, because health and care services lacked the equipment needed to keep patients and staff safe.'
Hallett agreed that patients and care home residents were put at risk, concluding that the UK's PPE stockpile was 'in a perilous state' and the UK was 'simply not ready to compete' in the global rush for equipment. She praised the public and businesses for rallying to help.
Recommendations for Future Pandemics
Hallett made 11 recommendations, including investing in British advanced manufacturing, improving stockpile management, overhauling supply chains and emergency procurement systems, and enhancing transparency and accountability. She said: 'A better prepared emergency procurement system will reduce the cost of obtaining essential supplies and save lives.'
A Downing Street spokesperson responded: 'Today's report obviously makes for difficult reading... This government is committed to learning the lessons of the Covid inquiry so that we are protected and prepared for the future.'
