On Thursday, November 20, 2025, Long Covid Advocacy released a statement responding to the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry’s second report on political governance and core decision-making. The report revealed that the UK government’s response to the pandemic was inadequate, untimely, and showed a lack of concern for the lives of those most at risk, including disabled people, chronically ill individuals, and Long Covid patients.
According to the report, a significant number of Covid-related deaths occurred among disabled or clinically vulnerable individuals. However, these communities were not taken into consideration in policy planning. The report also highlighted that Long Covid, a debilitating consequence of infection, was not even considered, despite its predictable impact on millions of people.
Claire Higham, a member of Long Covid Advocacy, expressed her disappointment with the government’s handling of the pandemic, stating, “The government treated our lives as disposable and dispensable, leaving us to fend for ourselves while ministers delayed decisive action. Long Covid was never even considered, and people were left not knowing what had happened to them – with no medical support.”
Long Covid Advocacy has identified key failures in the government’s response to the pandemic, including the delay in implementing lockdown measures, the lack of consideration for Long Covid in decision-making and communication, and failures in governance, such as a toxic internal culture and inadequate oversight.
In light of these findings, Long Covid Advocacy is calling for immediate action from the UK government. They are demanding formal recognition of Long Covid as a named disability and a condition that requires a long-term national strategy. They also seek redress and a formal apology to disabled and chronically ill communities and structural reforms that will include these communities in emergency planning and pandemic decision-making. Additionally, they are pushing for transparent public health policies that prioritize prevention, equity, and accountability.
Higham emphasized the urgency of addressing Long Covid, stating, “Post-acute viral illness has been neglected for far too long, leaving millions with chronic disability and ongoing suffering. The UK government must face the reality of the crisis it created and follow models like Germany’s, which has committed €500 million to cure Long Covid head-on. Ignoring this is not just a failure of policy – it’s a failure that is having profound economic and social consequences.”
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