Blog: 1st December 2023 - Helen McGrath, LLG

The Covid Inquiry saw some prominent politicians give evidence this week together with the recall of former Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock, due to the modular nature of the inquiry currently focused on ‘Core UK decision making and Political Governance’. Next week is likely to garner a lot of attention as former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson attends to give evidence. But back to this week…….. 

The Inquiry heard on Monday from Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham and London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Burnham referenced a government minute suggesting that Tier 3 restrictions were imposed on Manchester as a "punishment beating" for his defiance against regional restrictions, whilst also accusing the government of "London-centricity in decision making". Khan equally expressed dissatisfaction, stating that “that lives were lost due to the exclusion of London's representatives from early emergency meetings about the pandemic, resulting in a lack of vital knowledge for ministers”.  

Michael Gove appeared on Tuesday, and rejected the suggestion that disabled people were not prioritised for support during the pandemic. Having been referred to a government document, which set out the consideration of measures to protect those at higher risk due to ethnicity and referenced a more extensive plan for people with disabilities to be prepared "in slower time”, Gove clarified that the "slower time" referred to the need for more preparation rather than indicating disabled people were a lower priority. He also defended the assertion from others that Boris Johnson, the then Prime Minister was ‘indecisive’.  

Gove did apologise however for the mistakes made by the government during the Covid pandemic; acknowledging that the UK was too slow to implement lockdown measures in early 2020 and again in the autumn. He admitted that by mid-March 2020, he should have been more ‘forthright’ about the ‘necessity of a lockdown, recognising the gravity of the situation’. He also acknowledged other mistakes including ‘chaotic testing approaches’, ‘insufficient focus on the impact of lockdowns on children’, and ‘the need for reflection on the procurement of personal protective equipment’. 

Matt Hancock, following criticism during the inquiry from Helen MacNamara, a senior civil servant, Sir Patrick Vallance, the former chief scientific adviser and of course Dominic Cummings, gave evidence that he had to “wake up Whitehall” to the threat of covid and stated there was a “toxic culture” in government.  

Culture is, as we are increasingly hearing, incredibly important for good governance; and poor culture can result in organisational failure. As we await the imminent publication of Grant Thornton’s report on ‘Preventing Failure in Local Government’, there will inevitably be parallels between what we learn from the Inquiry and what we learn about our own sector. Lessons may be learnt, but it will be the drive to make changes that will ultimately safeguard good governance.  

Helen McGrath 

Executive Director of Policy & Governance