The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government’s actions would be put “under the microscope”.
The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over government “time-wasting”.
Mr Johnson said the inquiry would cover decision-making during the pandemic by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The first public hearings took place in June 2023.
Public inquiries are established and funded by the government and are led by an independent chair.
They can demand evidence about events and compel witnesses to give evidence.
No-one is found guilty or innocent but the inquiry publishes conclusions. The government is not obliged to accept any recommendations.
