News
21 November, 2025
UK Covid Inquiry publishes second report and 19 recommendations, examining ‘Core UK decision-making and political governance’ Inquiry publishes second report and 19 recommendations, examining ‘Core UK decision-making and political governance’
The Chair of the UK Covid Inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, published her second report on 20th November 2025.
The report, ‘Core UK decision-making and political governance’ (Module 2), calls for the prompt and thorough implementation of 19 key recommendations. The recommendations must be considered during the development of all future pandemic preparedness strategies.
They include the need for urgent reform and clarification of the structures for decision-making during emergencies within each of the four governments.
Other key recommendations include ensuring that decisions and their implications are clearly communicated to the public – laws and guidance must be easy to understand. There should be greater Parliamentary scrutiny of the use of emergency powers as well as improved consideration in an emergency of the impact that decisions might have on those most at risk.
The full 800 page report, and summaries, can be found on the Inquiry website here.
10 members from Ampersand Advocates were instructed for various parties for this module, which included 9 weeks of hearings in October/November 2023 in London, and 4 weeks of hearings in Edinburgh in January/February 2024:
- Jamie Dawson KC was lead counsel for the Inquiry in Module 2A
- Usman Tariq KC was junior counsel to the Inquiry in Module 2A
- Geoffrey Mitchell KC, Fiona Drysdale KC, Jennifer Nicholson-White and Michael Way appeared on behalf of the Scottish Government
- Simon Bowie KC appeared on behalf of Public Health Scotland
- Una Doherty KC, James McConnell KC and Mark Boni appeared on behalf of National Services Scotland.