Verdict due on impact of Brexit and austerity on Covid-19 response

David Cameron, George Osborne and Matt Hancock to face criticism about priorities in years running up to pandemic

The impact of austerity and Brexit on the UK's readiness for Covid will be spelt out at noon on Thursday when the statutory public inquiry into the pandemic gives its first verdict on the country's response.

Politicians including David Cameron, George Osborne and Matt Hancock are braced to face criticism about their decision-making and priorities in the years running up to the arrival of Covid in early 2020 sparking a pandemic that claimed at least 230,000 lives across the UK.