The Covid-19 inquiry is sounding a clear warning. If it’s not heeded, yet more lives will be lost | Ben Connah

It’s not a question of if, but when, another pandemic hits Britain. We owe it to all those who suffered to make sure mistakes are not repeated

What makes the independent inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to, and the impact of, the Covid-19 pandemic unlike any other in British history is that we are not examining something that affected one specific group of people. The chair, Heather Hallett, and her team have investigated a virus that swept the land and affected every single person in the UK at a profound and long-lasting level.

We have published two inquiry reports, with eight more to come. Each is full of valuable insight, carefully considered conclusions and recommendations about what must now change to ensure we are better prepared for next time.