PPE News & Analysis

Covid Inquiry Reveals £10bn Wasted on PPE for NHS Staff

The Covid inquiry reported that nearly £10bn of the £14.9bn spent on personal protective equipment (PPE) for the NHS was wasted. The inquiry found that the UK's emergency stockpile entered the pandemic in a poor state, with only a third of masks in England's stockpile deemed usable. The report criticized the establishment of a 'VIP lane' for PPE contracts as a misguided policy that undermined public confidence, though it found no evidence of corruption. This report highlights the significant financial mismanagement during the pandemic, indicating a need for better planning and procurement processes in future emergencies.