The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its Module 1 report today, confirming the impact of austerity on pandemic preparedness.

Responding to the report, Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:

“We must never see a repeat of the Tories’ chaotic and negligent response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Firefighters and control staff volunteered to go above and beyond during the crisis, picking up the pieces alongside NHS workers. But as this report makes clear, austerity and a lack of planning left the UK catastrophically unprepared.

“Ministers and chief fire officers did not prepare the fire and rescue service for the pandemic, despite warnings in the national risk register and from the Fire Brigades Union. This demonstrates the clear need for a new fire service structure in which the voice of the professional frontline cannot be ignored.

“Labour must take this opportunity to rebuild resilience by urgently restoring funding to public services.”