Covid inquiry chair defends £200m cost and four-year process on final day

The chair of the UK's Covid-19 inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has defended the £200 million cost and four-year process of the inquiry on its final day. Hallett stated that completing the hearings in under four years was an achievement, despite criticism from some over the cost of the inquiry. The inquiry was launched in 2021 to investigate the UK's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and identify lessons that can be learned. It has heard testimony from a range of witnesses, including government officials, healthcare workers, and members of the public. The inquiry's final report is expected to be published in 2024, which will provide an assessment of the UK's pandemic response and make recommendations for future emergency planning. While the cost and duration of the inquiry have been questioned by some, Hallett has defended the need for a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the government's handling of the crisis.