Date published: 31st May 2023

Following the Chair’s announcement of a modular approach to the Covid Inquiry during her opening statement last year, we have been eagerly awaiting more information on what exactly each module will cover, when they will start, and who will be included in each investigation.

So far, we have had information for the first three Modules. These are:

  • Module 1 - the UK’s pandemic preparedness and resilience (public hearings on 13 June 2023)
  • Module 2 – core political and administrative decision making in the UK and devolved administrations (public hearings begin October 2023)
  • Module 3 - the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems (public hearings expected to begin in 2024)

Chair ‘provides clarity’ on upcoming modules

On 30th May 2023, the Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Baroness Hallett, set out plans to open three further investigations in 2023. She also confirmed that she aims to conclude public hearings by summer 2026.

Issuing her update, the Chair said: “Last year, I promised I would work hard to ensure the whole of the UK can learn useful lessons from the pandemic as quickly as possible. Today I am providing greater clarity on our investigations and the likely end point for the Inquiry’s hearings.”

The new modules

Important dates for the upcoming new modules are as follows:

  • Module 4 will examine vaccines, therapeutics, and anti-viral treatment across the UK. The Inquiry plans to hear evidence for this investigation in the summer of 2024. The scope for Module 4 will be published on the Inquiry website on 5 June, when this Module will open, with the Core Participant application window being open from 5 June to 30 June 2023. 
  • Module 5 will examine Government Procurement across the UK. The Inquiry will open this investigation in October 2023, with evidence hearings scheduled for early 2025. The Core Participant application window will be open from 24 October 2023 to 17 November 2023.
  • Module 6 will examine the care sector across the UK and will open in December. The Core Participant application window will be open from 12 December 2023 to 19 January 2024. Public hearings will begin in spring 2025. 

When each of the new Modules open, the Inquiry will then release further details such as the scope of the investigation and details on how to apply to be a Core Participant. The Inquiry also plans to announce the next 12 months’ investigations in early 2024.

Visit our Covid Inquiry FAQ page for answers to some of our commonly asked questions surrounding the Inquiry, next steps, how to instruct free legal representation and more.