The Government's efforts to respond to the official investigation into the pandemic have now cost taxpayers more than £100 million, according to newly released official figures. This substantial sum is separate from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry's own operating budget, which has already reached £192 million.
Breaking Down the £100 Million Bill
Transparency data published by the Cabinet Office details the total expenditure linked to preparing material for the historic inquiry. The combined £100.9 million covers legal fees and the cost of maintaining specialist teams responsible for supplying evidence and documents. The Cabinet Office has cautioned that the true total may be higher, as the data is incomplete and not precise for accounting purposes.
A detailed breakdown shows that legal fees totalled £56.4 million between April 2023 and June 2025. This figure includes £26.2 million in the 2023/24 financial year, £25 million in 2024/25, and £5.2 million in just the first quarter of 2025/26. Over the same period, staffing costs reached £44.6 million.
Staffing Levels and Government Resources
Documents examined by the BBC and shared with the Press Association reveal the scale of the Government's operational response. The number of full-time equivalent staff dedicated to the inquiry response has fluctuated, peaking at 286 by the end of the 2024/25 financial year.
These teams, tasked with managing evidence disclosure and coordinating submissions from various departments, most recently stood at 248 full-time staff. The workload stabilised in the first quarter of 2025/26, leading to a reduction from the previous year's peak.
Inquiry Defends Pace and Scale of Investigation
Facing scrutiny over the mounting costs, a spokesperson for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry defended the operation's size and pace. They emphasised the unprecedented scope of the investigation, which is examining a pandemic that affected every person in society.
The spokesperson stated the inquiry is "working faster than any previous public inquiry of comparable size." They highlighted that by the end of this year, nine of the ten planned sets of hearings will be complete, with reports scheduled for publication throughout 2026 and early 2027.
The inquiry's chair, Baroness Heather Hallett, set out the substantial task from the beginning, making clear that a proper investigation would require significant time and cost. Officials stress the process is essential for bereaved families, key workers, and the public to learn the truth and ensure meaningful change for future pandemics.
Legal Challenges and Delays
The inquiry's progress has not been without obstacles. Its legal team has repeatedly cited challenges in securing full cooperation from some government departments, accusing them of delaying document production.
In a notable 2023 legal dispute, the Government unsuccessfully attempted to block the inquiry from obtaining former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's WhatsApp messages, diaries, and notebooks. The Cabinet Office's failed judicial review was criticised by bereaved families and opposition figures as a wasteful use of public funds.
With combined costs now nearing £300 million between the inquiry's budget and the Government's response spending, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry is on track to become the most expensive public inquiry ever undertaken in Britain. The final reports, expected in 2026 and 2027, will determine the legacy of this costly but historic examination of the nation's pandemic response.
