UK Covid Inquiry – Module 9 | 26 November 2025
Long Covid SOS and Long Covid Support are demanding answers from former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Baroness Thérèse Coffey DBE PC, as she appears before the UK Covid Inquiry (Module 9) on Wednesday 26 November 2025.
The Long Covid groups will challenge the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over the catastrophic lack of financial and employment support for the millions of people whose lives and careers have been devastated by Long COVID.
The Long Covid Opening Statement reveals a shocking internal minute from the Covid-19 Operations Committee on July 5, 2021, stating that the UK Government should not use the term Long COVID “loosely” because Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims were already at an “all-time high.”[1]
The Long Covid Groups maintain that the disbelief and minimisation of Long COVID including by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson infamously referring to it as “BOLLOCKS”[2]—prevented and continues to prevent a proper government-wide response to this ongoing public health crisis.
The approach has a devastating, real-world impact:
- No Guidance for Assessors: DWP benefits assessors were reportedly given no guidance on how to approach claims from people with Long Covid, leading to widespread refusals.
- Disbelief and Denial: Members report assessors dismissing their claims, with one stating they were refused PIP in 2024 because the assessor “clearly thought Long COVID wasn’t real.”
- Lost Livelihoods: Many sufferers lost incomes, careers, and homes, and were denied access to basic state disability benefits or reasonable adjustments from employers.
Evidence in the Inquiry
- The Inquiry Impact film for Module 9 featured Maddy, member of Long Covid Support, who contracted Covid-19 and developed post covid ME being forced to give up her career as a freight train driver. [3]
- AC, aged 51, explained the compounded difficulties: “Long Covid was not recognised in lots of different ways from diagnosis to PIP, insurance companies and any other support network.”
- A, aged 58, stated: “Long COVID has taken me within the space of 3 years from doing a highly qualified, well-paid full-time job, to zero income and no resource to benefits at this time.”
- Mike Ormerod is giving oral evidence on behalf of the Long Covid Groups on 26 November 2025
Spokespersons available for interview:
Yanto Evans, Trustee of Long Covid Support
Margaret O’Hara, Trustee of Long Covid Support
Lucy Moore, Chair of Long Covid SOS
Contact for Media Inquiries:
The Long Covid groups will press the Inquiry for answers on critical questions:
- Why did the UK Government not address Long COVID as a whole system problem?
- Why were there no steps taken to obtain data on the economic impacts of Long COVID? And why are there no efforts being made to obtain this data today?
- How did the disbelief and minimisation of Long COVID affect the response to the economic impact of Long COVID?
- Why was there no guidance developed for employers on how to recognise and respond to Long COVID? And why were DWP benefits assessors not provided with guidance in order to respond to Long COVID?
- Did DHSC/ DWP develop a strategy to respond to the impact of Long COVID on the workforce and increased demand for welfare support? If not, why not?
- Why, knowing the economic benefit to keeping people in work, were there no economic interventions which were targeted towards supporting people with Long COVID to remain in work if able?
- Why did each respective government department fail to engage with and take any action in response to the economic impact of Long COVID within their remit
Legal Team
Long Covid Support and Long Covid SOS are represented by Jane Ryan of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors, Sarah Hannett KC of Matrix Chambers, and Shanthi Sivakumaran of Doughty Street Chambers.
[1] Long Covid Groups Opening Statement here
[2] Module 2 Covid Inquiry report para 8.28 here.
[3] https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/commemoration/impact-films/#section_12_module-9
END