Britain became unprepared for COVID-19, spending watchdog finds

© Reuters/HANNAH MCKAY FILE photograph: Britain's PM Johnson holds a news conference at 10 Downing road in London

by way of Alistair Smout

LONDON (Reuters) - The British executive became unprepared for a crisis just like the coronavirus pandemic, did not be taught from simulation exercises and become distracted by its departure from the ecu Union, the govt's spending watchdog observed on Friday.

greater than 143,000 americans have died from COVID-19 in Britain, sparking criticism of major Minister Boris Johnson for his response, which changed into initially in keeping with plans for dealing with a flu pandemic instead of a novel coronavirus.

The countrywide Audit workplace (NAO) additionally highlighted the role of Brexit in absorbing supplies, with Britain leaving the ecu Union on Jan. 31, 2020, the identical day as the nation's first demonstrated COVID-19 case.

It pointed out the Civil Contingencies Secretariat allotted fifty six of its 94 full-time equivalent team of workers to put together for skills disruptions from a no-deal Brexit, limiting its potential to focus on different dangers and contingency planning at the same time.

"This pandemic has exposed the united kingdom's vulnerability to entire-device emergencies, the place the emergency is so huge that it engages all levels of executive and society," Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, noted in an announcement.

The government paid inadequate heed to warnings from pandemic simulations such as those performed in 2007 and 2016 over planning and capabilities, the NAO brought.

The government observed its response was guided with the aid of scientific and medical consultants, and it had superior its pandemic response plans in mild of the 2016 simulation.

"we've all the time referred to there are lessons to be learned from the pandemic and have dedicated to a full public inquiry in spring," a executive spokesperson spoke of.

"We put together for a range of scenarios and whereas there were wide arrangements in vicinity, here is an exceptional pandemic that has challenged health techniques world wide."

(Reporting by means of Alistair Smout; enhancing through bill Berkrot)