Dismay as UK government halts cash for world-renowned Covid programme

Despite its trials saving thousands during the pandemic, funding is being stopped for the groundbreaking UK Recovery programme

It changed the treatment of Covid-19 patients across the globe, saved thousands of lives by pinpointing cheap, effective drugs during the pandemic, and earned Britain widespread praise from international groups of scientists.

But now government support for the UK Recovery programme is to end. In a few weeks' time, central financing for the programme will halt. The scheme will only be able to continue thanks to funding from a group of US-based philanthropists.