Jim Reed
@jimreedbbc.bsky.social
BBC health reporter covering the Covid inquiry and all things health (and a bit science) really.
Reeves announces in budget that she will exempt compensation payments for the Infected Blood Scheme from inheritance tax "regardless of the circumstances in which those payments are passed down".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
Budget 2025: Follow Rachel Reeves speech live
The Office for Budget Responsibility apologises for the error after publishing Budget measures including a charge on homes over £2m and changes to Isas.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reeves announces in budget that she will exempt compensation payments for the Infected Blood Scheme from inheritance tax "regardless of the circumstances in which those payments are passed down".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...
Baroness Hallett published her 800 page report into the big political decisions made in Covid this week. So we put together a 25 min wrap up with some reaction from the Today programme. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 59. 'Too Little, Too Late' - BBC Sounds
Baroness Hallett makes her second report into the UK's pandemic response. With Jim Reed.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Baroness Hallett published her 800 page report into the big political decisions made in Covid this week. So we put together a 25 min wrap up with some reaction from the Today programme. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
If you read one thing today, read this on failures in acute mental health care and how small things - like understanding need to keep plastic bin liners out of reach - can be so important. By James Melley and Alison Holt who’ve been at trial every day. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Alice Figueiredo: We quit our jobs, sold our home twice and spent 10 years fighting the NHS
A NHS trust and hospital manager have been found guilty of health and safety failings over the death of Alice Figueiredo.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
If you read one thing today, read this on failures in acute mental health care and how small things - like understanding need to keep plastic bin liners out of reach - can be so important. By James Melley and Alison Holt who’ve been at trial every day. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This latest part of #covidinquiry is over after hearing from 41 witnesses on test and trace. Interesting last week with evidence from head of programme in England, Dido Harding. Here’s 30 min version of our report which ran on Today Programme this morning. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
BBC Sounds - The Covid Inquiry Podcast - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of The Covid Inquiry Podcast on BBC Sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 31, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This latest part of #covidinquiry is over after hearing from 41 witnesses on test and trace. Interesting last week with evidence from head of programme in England, Dido Harding. Here’s 30 min version of our report which ran on Today Programme this morning. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
Dido Harding was, as expected, pretty strong today at #covidinquiry on the need for more support for people to self isolate in the pandemic. Said she was frustrated by Rishi Sunak who rejected that argument at “every opportunity” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cash to self-isolate would have saved lives, Covid inquiry told
Baroness Dido Harding tells Covid inquiry Rishi Sunak blocked higher support payments.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Dido Harding was, as expected, pretty strong today at #covidinquiry on the need for more support for people to self isolate in the pandemic. Said she was frustrated by Rishi Sunak who rejected that argument at “every opportunity” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’d say this last week was one of more interesting of #covidinquiry so far. Thoughtful testimony from Hancock, Drakeford & Vallance about what went right/wrong with test and trace and what should change. Here’s extended version of Today Programme report. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...?
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 48. 'We suggested more carrot, but they always want to go for stick' - BBC Sounds
The Inquiry hears more about testing & whether the UK is prepared for another pandemic
www.bbc.co.uk
May 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM
I’d say this last week was one of more interesting of #covidinquiry so far. Thoughtful testimony from Hancock, Drakeford & Vallance about what went right/wrong with test and trace and what should change. Here’s extended version of Today Programme report. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...?
I just didn't have the time to post about Matt Hancock, Lord Bethell and Lord Vallance yesterday at #covidinquiry as was doing other BBC stuff. But here's what wrote for the website. Will pack a lot more in podcast for the weekend. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Boris Johnson wanted authoritarian Covid rules, inquiry hears
In his diaries, Lord Vallance wrote that ex-PM thought rules were not ruthless enough.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 5:24 AM
I just didn't have the time to post about Matt Hancock, Lord Bethell and Lord Vallance yesterday at #covidinquiry as was doing other BBC stuff. But here's what wrote for the website. Will pack a lot more in podcast for the weekend. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Quick summary of what happened today at #covidinquiry where it's all been about test and trace in Northern Ireland. And all focus was on what sounds like a right barney of a meeting on 16 March 2020 - a week before lockdown - about a decision to scrap community testing for Covid.
May 21, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Quick summary of what happened today at #covidinquiry where it's all been about test and trace in Northern Ireland. And all focus was on what sounds like a right barney of a meeting on 16 March 2020 - a week before lockdown - about a decision to scrap community testing for Covid.
And finally we heard about 90 mins worth of testimony from Wales's former first minister Mark Drakeford, making his third appearance at #covidinquiry. Again he was asked about Welsh government policies to do with test and trace.
May 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
And finally we heard about 90 mins worth of testimony from Wales's former first minister Mark Drakeford, making his third appearance at #covidinquiry. Again he was asked about Welsh government policies to do with test and trace.
nd in this afternoon's session at #covidinquiry... there was more on the Welsh government response re: test and trace. First up was Wales's health minister through most of the pandemic (and then short-lived first minister) Vaughan Gething.
May 20, 2025 at 5:47 PM
nd in this afternoon's session at #covidinquiry... there was more on the Welsh government response re: test and trace. First up was Wales's health minister through most of the pandemic (and then short-lived first minister) Vaughan Gething.
Then we heard from Jo-Anne Daniels, the official who led the test and trace programme in Wales (called TTP - Test, Trace & Protect). Here she is on the left hand side being sworn in earlier this morning.
May 20, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Then we heard from Jo-Anne Daniels, the official who led the test and trace programme in Wales (called TTP - Test, Trace & Protect). Here she is on the left hand side being sworn in earlier this morning.
Quick summary of what happened this morning at #covidinquiry. We started off with Dan York-Smith, who is director general of tax and welfare at the Treasury. So lots of questions about the amount of money involved in test and trace and support payments for people told to isolate.
May 20, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Quick summary of what happened this morning at #covidinquiry. We started off with Dan York-Smith, who is director general of tax and welfare at the Treasury. So lots of questions about the amount of money involved in test and trace and support payments for people told to isolate.
Finally this afternoon at #covidinquiry we heard evidence from Dominic Cook, a partner at the consultants Deloitte who were heavily involved in loads of work on the test and trace programme, with contracts worth a meaty £395 million over the course of the pandemic.
May 19, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Finally this afternoon at #covidinquiry we heard evidence from Dominic Cook, a partner at the consultants Deloitte who were heavily involved in loads of work on the test and trace programme, with contracts worth a meaty £395 million over the course of the pandemic.
Prof Chris Molloy continued giving evidence after lunch. He was interesting on the shoddy state of Covid test samples coming into his labs. Emails showed appeared to arrive in all manner of different bottles and sample tubes including some, erm... "wrapped in Asda shopping bags".
May 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Prof Chris Molloy continued giving evidence after lunch. He was interesting on the shoddy state of Covid test samples coming into his labs. Emails showed appeared to arrive in all manner of different bottles and sample tubes including some, erm... "wrapped in Asda shopping bags".
Next up at #covidinquiry was Prof. Chris Molloy who oversaw the setting up of the first four Lighthouse labs in the pandemic. These were the giant sites created by the government to (eventually) process hundreds of thousands of Covid PCR tests each day.
May 19, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Next up at #covidinquiry was Prof. Chris Molloy who oversaw the setting up of the first four Lighthouse labs in the pandemic. These were the giant sites created by the government to (eventually) process hundreds of thousands of Covid PCR tests each day.
So we're in week #2 of #3 weeks of hearings at the Covid Inquiry on test and trace. First up this morning is Timothy Spector, a professor of epidemiology at Kings College London and the co-founder of the Zoe App which, in the pandemic, was used to track Covid symptoms.
May 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
So we're in week #2 of #3 weeks of hearings at the Covid Inquiry on test and trace. First up this morning is Timothy Spector, a professor of epidemiology at Kings College London and the co-founder of the Zoe App which, in the pandemic, was used to track Covid symptoms.
Reposted by Jim Reed
Listen to last week’s #covidinquiry hearings on the failures of test & trace.
Highlights incl Paul Nurse.
Also some snippets from my evidence.
@jimreedbbc.bsky.social @cbffjuk.bsky.social
Highlights incl Paul Nurse.
Also some snippets from my evidence.
@jimreedbbc.bsky.social @cbffjuk.bsky.social
The Covid inquiry is back with 3 weeks of hearings about test and trace. If you’re interested in what really happened in the pandemic - and the £30bn spent on test and trace - then here’s longer version of our report which ran on Today Programme this AM. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 47. 'Test and Trace is like Whack-A-Mole' - BBC Sounds
The Inquiry hears evidence about the effectiveness of Test and Trace. Jim Reed reports.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Listen to last week’s #covidinquiry hearings on the failures of test & trace.
Highlights incl Paul Nurse.
Also some snippets from my evidence.
@jimreedbbc.bsky.social @cbffjuk.bsky.social
Highlights incl Paul Nurse.
Also some snippets from my evidence.
@jimreedbbc.bsky.social @cbffjuk.bsky.social
The Covid inquiry is back with 3 weeks of hearings about test and trace. If you’re interested in what really happened in the pandemic - and the £30bn spent on test and trace - then here’s longer version of our report which ran on Today Programme this AM. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 47. 'Test and Trace is like Whack-A-Mole' - BBC Sounds
The Inquiry hears evidence about the effectiveness of Test and Trace. Jim Reed reports.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 17, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The Covid inquiry is back with 3 weeks of hearings about test and trace. If you’re interested in what really happened in the pandemic - and the £30bn spent on test and trace - then here’s longer version of our report which ran on Today Programme this AM. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
PSG team bus has just parked up outside the flash Langham hotel (opposite BBC HQ off Regent’s Street). Meant to show balance and all that but come on Arsenal.
April 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
PSG team bus has just parked up outside the flash Langham hotel (opposite BBC HQ off Regent’s Street). Meant to show balance and all that but come on Arsenal.
The infected blood inquiry, which we thought was done and dusted with its final report last year, has just called cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds back to special hearing on May 7. All to address concerns that compensation is taking way too long to get off the ground.
April 9, 2025 at 10:31 AM
The infected blood inquiry, which we thought was done and dusted with its final report last year, has just called cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds back to special hearing on May 7. All to address concerns that compensation is taking way too long to get off the ground.
If you read the small print looks like there’s an exemption for pharmaceuticals in the Trump tariff announcement. That will please Glaxo and AstraZeneca given the UK exports £9bn of drugs a year to the US. www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
April 3, 2025 at 6:53 AM
If you read the small print looks like there’s an exemption for pharmaceuticals in the Trump tariff announcement. That will please Glaxo and AstraZeneca given the UK exports £9bn of drugs a year to the US. www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/...
It’s final week of this part of #covidinquiry. And we heard more about how PPE deals were done in Scotland, Wales and NI (no VIP lane there) and how British army moved 1bn items around UK to “unclog” system. Long version of our Today programme report here.
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 46. 'France Cancelled The Order' - BBC Sounds
The Inquiry hears from those running the NHS in Wales, NI and Scotland. Jim Reed reports.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
It’s final week of this part of #covidinquiry. And we heard more about how PPE deals were done in Scotland, Wales and NI (no VIP lane there) and how British army moved 1bn items around UK to “unclog” system. Long version of our Today programme report here.
Strange week at #covidinquiry with whole day of evidence behind closed doors. Still plenty to talk about including Matt Hancock getting upset with questions in spiky session and Lord Agnew describing criticism of VIP lane for PPE deals as "total bollocks". www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 45. 'Capitalism Saved Us' - BBC Sounds
The Inquiry hears from the key people sourcing PPE during the pandemic. Jim Reed reports.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 22, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Strange week at #covidinquiry with whole day of evidence behind closed doors. Still plenty to talk about including Matt Hancock getting upset with questions in spiky session and Lord Agnew describing criticism of VIP lane for PPE deals as "total bollocks". www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Conservative peer Lord Agnew getting punchy at #covidinquiry this pm. At one point calling controversy around the VIP lane (which could fast track PPE offers from firms with political connections) "such bollocks". Here talking to lawyer for bereaved families.
March 18, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Conservative peer Lord Agnew getting punchy at #covidinquiry this pm. At one point calling controversy around the VIP lane (which could fast track PPE offers from firms with political connections) "such bollocks". Here talking to lawyer for bereaved families.
For anyone interested in #covidinquiry here’s our full 30 min recap of last week’s evidence. Michael Gove says whole ‘PPE scandal’ is (mostly) “politically motivated bilge” while ex Tory chair Lord Feldman is asked - in detail - about role in ‘VIP Lane’.
The Covid Inquiry Podcast - 44. 'Politically Motivated Bilge' - BBC Sounds
The Covid Inquiry hears evidence on the priority lane for procurement. Jim Reed reports.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
For anyone interested in #covidinquiry here’s our full 30 min recap of last week’s evidence. Michael Gove says whole ‘PPE scandal’ is (mostly) “politically motivated bilge” while ex Tory chair Lord Feldman is asked - in detail - about role in ‘VIP Lane’.