UK inquiry finds £10 billion waste in PPE procurement amid VIP lane scandal

An official UK Covid-19 inquiry has concluded that the Boris Johnson government wasted approximately £10 billion of public money on personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic. Chair Heather Hallett criticised the “VIP lane” procurement process, which prioritised contracts for companies with political connections to the Conservative Party, finding it embedded unfairness and undermined public trust. While the inquiry did not identify criminal corruption among ministers, it highlighted that the UK entered the crisis with inadequate stockpiles, leaving healthcare workers at risk. The report includes 11 recommendations to overhaul emergency procurement systems and improve transparency.

The inquiry found that of the approximately £14.9 billion spent on PPE, nearly two-thirds—almost £10 billion—was wasted. A central focus of the criticism is the “VIP lane” procurement process, which fast-tracked contracts for companies with political ties to the Conservative Party. The report notes that £4.2 billion was paid by the government on these “VIP lane” PPE contracts. Hallett concluded that the “high priority lane” should not have been established and must not be repeated, noting that the system was inherently biased towards those with connections to the UK government.

The most high-profile case involved PPE Medpro, a newly formed company linked to Conservative peer Michelle Mone. Mone approached then-Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove in May 2020, after which the company was awarded two contracts worth £203 million. Although the inquiry heard evidence and reached findings on PPE Medpro, these details are not yet being published due to a long-running National Crime Agency investigation into the procurement of these contracts. Hallett stated that her findings on this matter will only be published after the conclusion of any criminal proceedings.

Despite the criticism of the procurement process, the inquiry did not identify criminal corruption or cronyism on the part of ministers and officials in final contracting decisions. Former health secretary Matt Hancock and other ministers had defended the VIP lane at the inquiry, arguing it enabled the government to prioritise credible offers. However, Hallett found that the process “embedded unfairness” and that some suppliers received favourable treatment because of their government connections, which undermined public trust at a critical moment.

The report highlights that the UK entered the pandemic with an inadequate stockpile of PPE and plans that had never been stress-tested. Doctors, nurses, and care sector staff worked without adequate PPE or sufficient healthcare equipment such as ventilators during the deadliest early period of the pandemic. Members of Covid Bereaved Families for Justice stated that many believe their loved ones died, at least in part, because health and care services lacked the necessary equipment.

Hallett made 11 recommendations, including radically overhauling supply chains and emergency procurement systems, and improving transparency, governance, and accountability. The report also calls for investing in British advanced manufacturing to prevent future waste and ensure fairness. Hallett concluded that a better prepared emergency procurement system will reduce the cost of obtaining essential supplies and save lives.