Covid Inquiry Reveals Tensions and Shortcomings in Pandemic Response

Top scientific adviser and Business and Trade Secretary voice concerns over decision-making speed, economic impact of lockdowns, and handling of misinformation.

• Prof Dame Angela McLean, the Government’s chief scientific adviser, testified that she had to mediate between academics and civil servants during the pandemic, often comforting upset civil servants.
• McLean identified a 'lack of appreciation that very quick decisions were needed' as the most significant shortcoming in pandemic decision-making.
• Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch argued that the government should have considered the economic impact of lockdowns more thoroughly, suggesting that the focus was too heavily on health impacts.
• Badenoch also expressed concern about the government's handling of misinformation in the age of social media.
• Both McLean and Badenoch stated that they were not consulted about the 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme, with McLean suggesting that scientists would have advised against it.

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