The UK’s Covid-19 Inquiry has officially begun its public hearings, and the inquiry has revealed that the potential impact of lockdowns was not considered at the outset. The aim of the Covid Inquiry is to examine and report on the handling of the pandemic in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The inquiry, which will cost around £100 million, will gather evidence on the preparedness of hospitals and PPE spending and look at the impact of the virus on those with protected characteristics. The lead counsel for the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, expressed concern that there was very little debate pre-pandemic about whether a lockdown might prove necessary. He suggested that no-deal Brexit planning may have “crowded out” work on the UK’s resilience to a pandemic. The inquiry is set to publish interim reports before concluding public hearings by the summer of 2026.