The Government's bill for responding to the official Covid-19 pandemic inquiry has surged past the £100 million mark, according to newly released transparency data. The figures, covering the period from April 2023 to June 2025, detail substantial expenditure on legal advice and dedicated civil service staff.
Breaking Down the Multi-Million Pound Bill
Documents from the Cabinet Office, analysed by the BBC and seen by the Press Association, provide a detailed financial breakdown. The costs are separate from the £192 million spent on running the inquiry itself, which is on track to become the most expensive in British history.
The data shows that from April 2023 to June 2025, the Government spent £56.4 million on legal costs. This sum includes £26.2 million in the year to March 2024, £25.0 million in the following year to March 2025, and a further £5.2 million in the three months to June 2025.
Alongside legal fees, £44.6 million was allocated to staff costs. This comprised £18.0 million in the 2023/24 financial year, £21.6 million in 2024/25, and £5.0 million from April to June 2025. The combined total for legal and staff costs in this period stands at £100.9 million.
Staffing Levels and Data Caveats
The Cabinet Office figures also reveal the scale of the Government's operational response. The number of full-time equivalent staff working on the inquiry response peaked at 286 by the end of March 2025, before falling to 248 in the quarter from April to June 2025. This followed a figure of 265 at the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
However, the official documents caution that the £100.9 million total "could be higher". They state the costs are "not based on a complete set of departmental figures and are not precise for accounting purposes," indicating the final sum may rise as more data is compiled.
A Mounting Historical Expense
This substantial response cost adds a significant layer to the overall financial burden of the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry. With the inquiry's own operational costs already at £192 million and the Government's response exceeding £100 million, the total public expenditure related to the investigation continues to climb sharply.
The Cabinet Office and the Covid inquiry have been approached for comment on the latest transparency data. The figures underscore the extensive resources being devoted to examining the UK's pandemic preparedness and response, a process that remains ongoing.
