Rishi Sunak revealed that officials advised against implementing early Covid restrictions to ensure public acceptance. As Chancellor during the virus outbreak in March 2020, Sunak’s statements followed a critical report by the Covid inquiry led by Baroness Heather Hallett.
The inquiry denounced the government’s delayed actions as “inexcusable,” attributing thousands of fatalities and the necessity for extensive lockdowns to slow decision-making. Sunak testified that initial advice cautioned against premature interventions, citing concerns over public compliance. The medical and scientific community recommended voluntary social distancing and school closures initially, believing it would suffice to control the virus.
However, within days, it became evident that stricter measures were imperative, leading to a full mandatory lockdown. Sunak, in his second testimony at the inquiry, expressed condolences to families affected by the pandemic. Acknowledging the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the virus, Sunak emphasized the absence of a definitive strategy or playbook for managing such a crisis.
Regarding the economic response, Sunak acknowledged the inability to save all jobs but underscored the government’s commitment to averting widespread unemployment. He emphasized the importance of transparency about the economic challenges, noting the unforeseen impact on vulnerable sections of society. Sunak asserted that despite the economic hardship, the government’s interventions prevented mass unemployment, surpassing earlier predictions.
One of the key measures implemented, the furlough scheme announced in March 2020, supported approximately 11.7 million employee jobs at a cost of around £70 billion. The scheme, active from March 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, played a crucial role in mitigating the economic repercussions of the pandemic.
