North East MPs say public services were left in a “desperate state” after an inquiry found the UK Government and civil service “failed” the public in preparing for the pandemic.

The Covid-19 public inquiry - published on Thursday - highlighted a “damaging absence of focus” on the measures and infrastructure needed to deal with a fast-spreading disease. 

It found the Government lacked “a system that could be scaled up to test, trace and isolate” people - saying the UK was “prepared for the wrong pandemic”. 

It also said there was a “lack of adequate leadership, coordination and oversight” leading up to the Covid outbreak. 

Jonathan Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool, said the UK was “unable to cope with the Covid tsunami that followed” following a “decade of austerity under the Conservatives.” 

He explained: “The failure of those in charge is a stain on our country, one that not only cost the lives of so many of our citizens, but left many with long-term conditions, families bereaved and NHS and other workers traumatised. 

“We must learn the lessons of this and ensure that our country is never so unprepared again.”

'No-one can say they weren’t warned'

The 217-page report was chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, who said in her foreword that lessons must be learned.

Key points included how there were “fatal strategic flaws” in the assessment of the risks facing the country, with emergency planning generally failing to account for how the vulnerable would be looked after. 

The report also noted that the UK’s pandemic plan for flu - which was written in 2011 -  was “outdated and lacked adaptability”.

Lady Hallett said it is “not a question of ‘if’ another pandemic will strike but ‘when’”.

She explained: “The evidence is overwhelmingly to the effect that another pandemic – potentially one that is even more transmissible and lethal – is likely to occur in the near to medium future.

“Unless the lessons are learned, and fundamental change is implemented, that effort and cost will have been in vain when it comes to the next pandemic.” 

Covid-19 Inquiry: Government and the civil service ‘failed’ the publicCovid-19 Inquiry: Government and the civil service ‘failed’ the public

Mary Kelly Foy, Durham Labour MP, argued that “no-one can say they weren’t warned.”

She told The Echo: “Last year, I led a debate on this very issue - highlighting how austerity and poor decision-making left us unprepared for the pandemic.

“The architects of austerity owe us all an apology.

“For years, public health experts and the Labour movement warned of the impact of cuts to public health; after all, you can’t keep a country safe on the cheap.

“I’m glad that the new Prime Minister stated he’s committed to learning the lessons of the inquiry. There can’t be any delay in putting them in place.

“The announcement of a ‘duty of candour’ in the King’s Speech is a step in the right direction, and is something I’ll be following closely.”

Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, said the inquiry report is difficult for many people who lost loved ones, including himself. 

He explained: “This report confirms what many have always believed - that the UK was under-prepared for Covid-19, and that process, planning and policy across all four nations let us all down.

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“In Stockton North we are proud of the role Billingham industry played in manufacturing vaccines to combat the virus.  

“But we faced supply chain challenges with a shortage of glass vials.  This shows the importance of ensuring we have a robust industrial capacity and a supply chain with the depth to be able to support Britain in a crisis.

“An industrial strategy fit for purpose will answer these questions and fill the shortfall in capacity, robustness and delivery time to where it is needed most.”