Devendra Kumar
Rishi Sunak testified before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, defending his Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which provided half-price food and drinks for restaurants. Critics have argued that the scheme contributed to the spread of the virus, but Sunak insisted that hospitality settings were “safe” and that his intervention protected millions of jobs.
Leslie Thomas KC, representing the Federation of Ethnic Minority Healthcare Organisations, asked Sunak if the scheme put low-paid workers at risk of infection. Sunak replied that the workplaces were safe and that the risk was not having a job to go to if the businesses they depended on were not operating. He said that the consequences for low-paid workers and their families of not having a job would have been devastating.
Sunak also defended his announcement of the scheme, saying that key scientific advisers and Cabinet colleagues were not informed beforehand. He claimed that there was an ample opportunity for people to raise concerns with him or then-prime minister Boris Johnson, but no one did. Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, had previously told the inquiry that the scheme was “highly likely” to have fueled deaths.
The inquiry has heard criticism of Johnson’s decision-making during the pandemic, but Sunak refused to echo those remarks. He said that the government was following advice from scientists and acted “almost immediately” on their recommendations. As the advice changed during the pandemic, ministers responded with fresh announcements.
In his opening remarks, Sunak expressed his deep regret for the losses experienced during the pandemic and his commitment to learning lessons to be better prepared in the future. He acknowledged that the government’s response was not perfect but maintained that decisions were made based on the best available scientific advice at the time.
Sunak’s testimony also touched on the different types of financial support given to people during the pandemic, including the furlough scheme and payments provided to people when self-isolating with Covid. He attributed the record-high tax burden to lockdown borrowing, stating that the impact of having to pay it back only comes well after the pandemic.
Finally, Sunak dodged a request to hand over his WhatsApp communications, blaming a phone switch and lack of backup. Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK criticized his decision, saying it shows he is not interested in learning lessons and saving lives.