Policy paper

UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Core decision-making and political governance (Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C) Report

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s second report considers the core decision-making and political governance of the UK Government and the devolved nations during the pandemic

Documents

Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report - Core decision-making and political governance

Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report - In-brief summary Core decision-making and political governance

Details

The Covid-19 Inquiry is an independent public inquiry established to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to learn lessons for the future. The Inquiry conducted its public hearings for each module between June 2023 and March 2026 and began publishing reports containing findings and recommendations from July 2024.

Modules 2, 2A (Scotland), 2B (Wales), 2C (Northern Ireland) examined core political and administrative governance and decision-making. It includes initial response, central government decision making, political and civil service performance as well as the effectiveness of relationships with governments in the devolved administrations and local and voluntary sectors. 

  • Module 2 Report - Core decision-making and political governance. Available in English and machine-translated to all other languages on the Inquiry’s website. 
  • Module 2 Report ‘In Brief’ summary - Core decision-making and political governance. The ‘In Brief’ summary is available in English, Welsh, English Easy Read, a video animation and audio only format. It is also machine-translated to all other languages available on the Inquiry’s website.

Reports relating to the Inquiry’s other Modules will be published until 2027 and details of these can be found in the Inquiry Module Reports section of the Inquiry’s website. A full list of the Inquiry’s modules and the topics that have been investigated can be found in the Structure of the Inquiry.

For further information, see the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

Updates to this page

Published 20 November 2025
Last updated 16 April 2026 show all updates
  1. Updated main page text

  2. First published.

Sign up for emails or print this page