For immediate release
TaxPayers’ Alliance campaigners have protested outside the UK Covid inquiry in Paddington, London, after new research from the campaign group revealed that the inquiry could end up costing £208 million by the time it concludes.
Members of the TPA held up a banner reading “£208 MILLION: IS IT WORTH IT?” outside Dorland House, Paddington, where the inquiry is taking place. The TPA also filmed a broadcast clip with head of campaigns Elliot Keck outlining the findings, responding to criticism from the inquiry of the figures and outlining what the TPA thinks should be done next.
As revealed in the Daily Mail and elsewhere, the UK Covid inquiry is now costing £144,939 per day and has already spent £124 million. If their average daily spend continues until May 2026, when public hearings are expected to end, the inquiry will end up spending £208 million.
This is the third time the TPA has produced an estimate of the cost of the Covid inquiry. The first estimate, produced in December 2023, was that the inquiry would end up costing £156 million. The second estimate, produced in May 2024, was that the inquiry would end up costing £196 million. On all three occasions data from the inquiry analysed by the TPA has shown accelerating costs.
CLICK HERE FOR A BROADCAST CLIP
CLICK HERE FOR A BROADCAST CLIP
Jonathan Eida, researcher of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Taxpayers have been rightly horrified by our projections for the cost of the covid inquiry.
“While no one is in any doubt that the public deserve to know what went wrong, this should not have meant an effective blank cheque.
“The new government should start monitoring the inquiry’s credit card much more closely and demand a more focused, cost-effective approach from now on.”
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Media contact:
Elliot Keck
Head of Campaigns, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
- TaxPayers' Alliance's research council.