Scotland not properly prepared for pandemic – Covid inquiry

Mr Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime the “quality of intergovernmental relations declined dramatically” after Brexit and that there was a “lack of respect” from the UK government to the devolved governments.

“Undoubtedly a poor level of intergovernmental relationships is not going to help in ensuring a cohesive approach towards the response to the pandemic,” Mr Swinney said.

He said he had committed to a more collaborative approach with the new Labour administration in Downing Street.

The first minister added: “I believe Scotland is better prepared for any future scenario but we must be constantly learning the lessons of the experience we had during Covid to ensure our pandemic preparedness is as effective as it can be to deal with any threat that is faced by the public.”

The report is the first of several to be published by the UK Covid Inquiry, which began in 2022 and is scheduled to continue until 2026.

A separate Scottish inquiry is looking specifically at the impact of the virus north of the border.

It has been delayed after its original chairwoman quit for personal reasons and four members of the inquiry’s legal team also stood down.

Hearings began in October 2023 but they were further delayed this year, external after the replacement chairman, Lord Brailsford, required surgery on a kidney tumour.