The Covid Inquiry Podcast

In the first week of a new module looking at social care during the pandemic, the Covid Inquiry takes evidence from care home workers and the families of some of those who died. One of the main witnesses, giving evidence for the final time, is former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who answers criticism of his use of the phrase 'protective ring' when describing how care homes were treated. Divya Talwar reports.A warning - some of the testimony is very distressing, with a reference to suicide. If you've been affected by the issues raised, you can contact the BBC's Action Line at bbc.co.uk/actionline

In the final week of this part of the Inquiry we hear testimony from scientists involved in test and trace and public health officials running contact tracing on the ground.

The inquiry hears more about test and trace & whether the UK is prepared for another pandemic. With evidence from former health secretary Matt Hancock, former chief scientific advisor Lord Patrick Vallance and former First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry begins looking at the £30 billion pounds spent on the Government's efforts to test, trace and isolate those who tested positive during the pandemic. With evidence from Sir Paul Nurse, from the Francis Crick Institute, Professor Naomi Fulop from UCL and Professor Alan McNally from the University of Birmingham. Jim Reed reports.

In the final week of the module on procurement, the Inquiry hears from those trying to ensure that Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland had enough PPE, and why they didn't use high priority lanes, as England did. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry holds its first private session behind closed doors as it takes evidence about the company PPE Medpro – linked to Baroness Michelle Mone and her husband. In the open hearings, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock describes how he and others in the Department tried to secure enough PPE for the NHS. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry takes evidence on how some offers of PPE were placed in a higher priority route, and the role politicians and government officials played in procurement. One of the main witnesses is Michael Gove, Minister for the Cabinet Office at the time, who argues that much of the newspaper commentary around the 'so-called PPE scandal' was 'politically motivated bilge'. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry begins its fifth module, looking at how the government bought medical supplies like PPE and ventilators during the pandemic. In this first week of evidence the Inquiry hears about the creation of a so-called 'VIP' lane for some companies. Jim Reed reports.

In the final week examining the rollout of vaccines, the Covid Inquiry hears about how those in government attracted manufacturers to the UK, and whether the country has prepared enough for a future pandemic. With evidence from former minister and now Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, Dame Emily Lawson who led the initial vaccine rollout, and Dr Clive Dix, Deputy Chair of the Vaccine Task Force. Jim Reed reports.

The Covid Inquiry takes a second week of evidence about the rollout of vaccines, hearing from Dame Kate Bingham, who chaired the Vaccine Taskforce, Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, and Sir Jonathan Van Tam, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England. Jim Reed reports.