A public inquiry found that the UK and devolved governments spent £14.9 billion on PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic, with nearly £9.9 billion written off as unused or expired. The UK entered the pandemic with an inadequate, untested stockpile, leading to shortages that risked NHS staff and patients while care homes and other providers sourced equipment independently. A VIP lane expedited some offers, though the inquiry found no evidence of cronyism or corruption.