The Covid Inquiry Report: 'Too Little, Too Late'
UK did 'too little, too late', leading to thousands more Covid deaths, says inquiry
November 20, 2025
49 min
1,780 of 2,000

November 20, 2025
The Covid Inquiry Report: 'Too Little, Too Late'
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49:55This episodeThe Covid Inquiry Report: 'Too Little, Too Late'
Summary
<p>Today, the latest report from the covid inquiry has found that the government did “too little, too late” to prevent deaths during the pandemic. </p><p>Chair of the inquiry, Baroness Hallett acknowleged that Boris Johnson’s government faced “unenviable choices” but said that 23 000 deaths could have been potentially avoided and added that regular rule breaking by officials undermined the public’s trust.</p><p>BBC health reporter Jim Reed and Dr Catherine Haddon programme, director at the Institue for Government, join Adam to unpick the report. </p><p>Plus, Adam is joined by Rachel Kyte UK special representative for climate who’s leading the UK’s delegation in Brazil at COP 30. </p><p>You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.</p><p>You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord</p><p>Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.</p><p>New episodes released every day. If you're in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Anna Harris. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson and Beth Pritchard. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.</p>
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