Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

The Covid Inquiry Podcast

Full coverage of the Covid Inquiry as it takes evidence. With Jim Reed, Vanessa Clarke, Divya Talwar, Lorna Gordon, Hywel Griffith and Jennifer O'Leary.

Radio 4,63 episodes

Episodes

ListGrid

63. Rishi Sunak
The Covid Inquiry hears evidence from former chancellor Rishi Sunak. Ben King reports.
20 Dec 2025,15 mins
62. 'The Chancellor Was Right To Look Sombre'
The Inquiry hears how the Treasury responded to the pandemic. Theo Leggett reports.
13 Dec 2025,16 mins
61. 'A Lockdown Of The Economy'
The Inquiry takes evidence on the furlough scheme. Theo Leggett reports.
06 Dec 2025,13 mins
60. 'The Government Is Going To Step In'
The Inquiry begins hearing about the pandemic's economic impact. Theo Leggett reports.
29 Nov 2025,14 mins
59. 'Too Little, Too Late'
Baroness Hallett makes her second report into the UK's pandemic response. With Jim Reed.
22 Nov 2025,24 mins
58. Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson makes his final appearance at the Inquiry. Vanessa Clarke reports.
25 Oct 2025,18 mins
57. Gavin Williamson
The Inquiry hears about the decision to close schools. Vanessa Clarke reports.
18 Oct 2025,16 mins,
56. ‘Needs Soared Through the Roof’
The Inquiry hears how the pandemic affected vulnerable children. Vanessa Clarke reports.
11 Oct 2025,20 mins
55. 'Children Had No Voice'
The Covid Inquiry hears about the pandemic’s impact on children. Vanessa Clarke reports.
04 Oct 2025,17 mins
54. ‘We Lived It’
The Covid Inquiry takes final evidence on social care. Divya Talwar reports.
02 Aug 2025,27 mins
53. 'Fit to Discharge'
The Inquiry hears why patients were released into care homes. Divya Talwar reports.
26 Jul 2025,24 mins
52. 'Stop Visiting'
The Inquiry hears from former ministers in the Health Department. Divya Talwar reports.
19 Jul 2025,28 mins
51. How It Spread
The Inquiry hears how the virus began to spread in care homes. Divya Talwar reports.
12 Jul 2025,24 mins
50. 'A Protective Ring'
The Covid Inquiry hears how the pandemic affected care homes. Divya Talwar reports.
05 Jul 2025,30 mins,
49. ‘I wasn’t the decision maker’
The Inquiry hears from the lead of the test and trace unit
31 May 2025,30 mins
48. 'We suggested more carrot, but they always want to go for stick'
The Inquiry hears more about testing & whether the UK is prepared for another pandemic
24 May 2025,32 mins
47. 'Test and Trace is like Whack-A-Mole'
The Inquiry hears evidence about the effectiveness of Test and Trace. Jim Reed reports.
17 May 2025,30 mins
46. 'France Cancelled The Order'
The Inquiry hears from those running the NHS in Wales, NI and Scotland. Jim Reed reports.
29 Mar 2025,27 mins
45. 'Capitalism Saved Us'
The Inquiry hears from the key people sourcing PPE during the pandemic. Jim Reed reports.
22 Mar 2025,34 mins,
44. 'Politically Motivated Bilge'
The Covid Inquiry hears evidence on the priority lane for procurement. Jim Reed reports.
15 Mar 2025,38 mins
43. 'The VIP lane'
The Covid Inquiry begins taking evidence about the procurement of PPE. Jim Reed reports.
08 Mar 2025,34 mins
42. 'A 5-Sided Rubik's Cube'
The Covid Inquiry finishes hearing evidence about the vaccine rollout. Jim Reed reports.
01 Feb 2025,29 mins
41. 'Sharp Scratch'
The Covid Inquiry hears further evidence on the rollout of vaccines. Jim Reed reports.
25 Jan 2025,35 mins
40. Vaccines
The Covid Inquiry begins a module looking at the vaccine rollout. Jim Reed reports.
18 Jan 2025,29 mins
39. 'Saying Goodbye By Text'
It's the final week examining the role of the NHS in the Covid Inquiry. Jim Reed reports.
30 Nov 2024,24 mins
38. Matt Hancock
The Covid Inquiry hears from former Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Jim Reed reports.
23 Nov 2024,21 mins
37. Nightingale Hospitals
The Covid Inquiry hears about the use of Nightingale Hospitals. Jim Reed reports.
16 Nov 2024,21 mins
36. 'Clapped One Minute, Disposable The Next'
The Covid Inquiry examines how the NHS responded to the pandemic. Jim Reed reports.
09 Nov 2024,24 mins
35. Vulnerable Groups
Jim Reed reports on another week of evidence at the Covid Inquiry.
02 Nov 2024,31 mins
34. 'Carrying The Scars'
The Covid Inquiry looks at maternity services during the pandemic. Jim Reed reports.
12 Oct 2024,32 mins