The UK government wasted almost £10 billion on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the fifth report from the long-running Covid Inquiry, published on July 14, 2026. The report, which focuses on procurement, reveals that of the approximately £15 billion spent on PPE, nearly £10 billion was wasted—about twice the amount that was spent successfully.
Inquiry Details and Findings
The inquiry, led by Baroness Hallett, has been investigating the UK's handling of the pandemic for over four years. The latest report highlights significant issues, including overbuying and the purchase of substandard equipment that endangered health and social care workers. Baroness Hallett's report states: 'Of the approximately £15 billion of PPE purchased, almost £10 billion was wasted.'
The report also criticizes the fast-track system for awarding contracts, known as the High Priority Lane, describing it as a system that 'embedded unfairness in the UK government's emergency procurement system.' It adds: 'It was a misguided attempt at prioritisation, caused by a fundamental lack of readiness rather than ill-intention. The High Priority Lane should not have been set up and should not be repeated.'
Impact and Next Steps
The wasted funds represent a significant loss to taxpayers, with the government spending billions on equipment that either was not needed or failed to meet safety standards. The Covid Inquiry is expected to publish five more reports before concluding, with the next report focusing on the care sector, due in autumn 2026.
The findings underscore the challenges the government faced in rapidly scaling up procurement during the early stages of the pandemic, but the inquiry's criticism points to systemic failures in preparedness and oversight.
