Chief Executive's Update - February 2025
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry had a busy year in 2024. Not only did we finish our impact hearings on health and social care; education and certification; and finance, business and welfare; but we also gathered almost 12,000 experiences of the pandemic from people across Scotland.
Over the past 12 months, the Inquiry’s Chair, Lord Brailsford, heard from bereaved relatives, family members of care home residents, teachers and students, the business sector, and many others who were impacted by the pandemic in Scotland.
This year the Inquiry will finish its hearings on the impacts of COVID-19 on people living in Scotland during the pandemic. Following the preliminary hearing held on 22 January, the Inquiry will hold hearings on topics related to justice (18-28 February), worship and life events (29 April – 2 May) and equalities and human rights (10-20 June).
Once we have finished hearing evidence on the impacts of the pandemic in 2025, the Inquiry will then move onto its next phase, looking at how policies were implemented in Scotland and the decisions taken by Scottish politicians and their advisers.
We know that giving evidence to a public inquiry can be difficult and upsetting for some. It is not easy to share personal testimonies with strangers in a formal setting. The Inquiry thanks everyone who has already provided evidence, information or shared experiences for our investigations, and we are grateful to those who will do so in the coming weeks and months.
Let's Be Heard
“Let’s Be Heard” is the Inquiry’s listening project. It was set up to give everyone affected by the pandemic in Scotland the chance to share their experiences directly with the Inquiry.
After receiving almost 12,000 responses from across Scotland, Let’s Be Heard has finished gathering experiences. The team is now working on analysing those responses, building on the initial findings published in 2023. In 2025, the Inquiry expects to publish case studies from Let’s Be Heard.
Academic research
The Inquiry has also published academic research relating to its investigations into education and certification (which includes qualifications and exams).
This research report is a study of the closure and reopening of schools in both Scotland and various comparator countries during the pandemic.
Academic research reports are one of several sources of information the Inquiry will consider before issuing its findings. These reports represent the views of their authors, and not the final conclusions of the Inquiry.
We will continue to keep you updated about the Inquiry’s progress over the months ahead. Please do follow the Inquiry’s social media channels for further information. The Inquiry is active on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Bluesky. Our public hearings are broadcast on our YouTube channel, where you can also view previous hearings.