Rishi Sunak to face Covid-19 inquiry questions as probe into government’s response to pandemic continues – latest

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey previously told the inquiry the central bank was restricted from accessing some government data during the pandemic, which he said would have helped it respond to the economic crisis.

Giving evidence as the probe examines the financial response to the pandemic, Mr Bailey said policymakers would have benefited from having easier sight of data, such as universal credit.

However, he said he felt the relationship between the Bank and the government was “very good” throughout the pandemic and that the briefings given by England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, were “one of the most valuable things we had access to”.

He praised former chancellor Rishi Sunak for “his diligence and commitment”, adding: “We had a very close relationship – we were talking daily at the height of the Covid problems.”

Outside of Rishi Sunak giving evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry, here are this morning’s headlines in politics:

• A Labour minister has publicly criticised Sir Keir Starmer after he received “no explanation” about why he was sacked from his cabinet role earlier this year.

• A parliament-based campaign group is set to ramp up pressure on the government to end illegal foxhunting for good – as ministers prepare for a public consultation on the issue.

• Wes Streeting has expressed his “genuine fears” for the NHS if this week’s resident doctors’ strike goes ahead, warning that he could not guarantee the safety of patients during a severe rise in flu cases.

The Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty has more below:

Rishi Sunak will speak on the government’s economic approach to the pandemic on Monday.

It comes as the independent probe moves into its examination of the fiscal policies adopted by the government during the pandemic and their impact.

Mr Sunak has previously given evidence during the ‘core decision-making and political governance’ section of the inquiry.

But on Monday he will speak to the economic policies he took on during his stint as chancellor.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak is set to give evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry on Monday.

Mr Sunak, who was chancellor during the pandemic, previously spoke to the inquiry in 2023.

He was previously grilled over the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, his Whatsapp messages sent during lockdown, and claims of a “toxic” environment in Downing Street.

He is expected to begin giving evidence at around 10:30am on Monday.