The UK's Covid-19 public inquiry has officially become the most expensive legal investigation in British history, with costs soaring past an astonishing £150 million mark. This staggering figure places it ahead of even the decade-long Bloody Sunday inquiry, raising serious questions about value for money for British taxpayers.
The Staggering Numbers Behind Britain's Costliest Investigation
According to recently released official figures, the inquiry's expenditure has reached £144.7 million up to April 2024, with additional costs expected to push the final total well beyond £150 million. The inquiry, chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, has been examining the UK's pandemic response since its establishment in 2022.
The scale of spending is unprecedented:
- Legal costs have consumed £76.8 million, with counsel fees forming the bulk of expenses
- More than ¾ of the total budget has been allocated to legal professionals
- The inquiry's running costs continue to accumulate as hearings extend into 2024
Surpassing Historical Legal Milestones
This pandemic investigation has now overtaken the Bloody Sunday inquiry, which cost £210 million in today's money when adjusted for inflation. The Infected Blood inquiry, another major public investigation, has cost £44 million to date but continues to operate.
What makes the Covid inquiry particularly notable is the speed at which costs have accumulated, reaching this historic milestone in just over two years of operation. The inquiry has heard testimony from numerous high-profile figures, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and key scientific advisors.
Taxpayer Burden Under Scrutiny
Critics are increasingly questioning whether the mounting costs represent good value for British taxpayers. With legal professionals accounting for such a significant portion of spending, concerns have been raised about the inquiry's financial management and efficiency.
The government maintains that a thorough investigation is essential to learn lessons from the pandemic, but the escalating price tag continues to draw criticism from across the political spectrum. As the inquiry moves through its different modules examining various aspects of the UK's Covid response, the final cost remains uncertain but is expected to set new records for British legal investigations.
