Covid inquiry under fire for giving Wales and Northern Ireland three weeks each

Scheduling makes Wales hearing look like poorer relative', say unions, while NI families say at least six weeks is needed

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Bereaved families have strongly criticised proposals by the UK Covid-19 inquiry to set aside only three weeks each for its public hearings on the responses to the pandemic in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Members of the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru argued that the Labour-led Welsh government would escape proper scrutiny unless more time was allocated. Trade union leaders suggested there was a risk Wales could be seen as the poorer relative" in the inquiry.