COVID-19: Unions add to calls for date to be set for start of public inquiry into coronavirus | Political news

Unions are adding their voices to the call for a start date to be set for a COVID-19 investigation.

The TUC said a public consultation should also help what an investigation will cover, as workers and the families of those who caught the virus at work will be key to what went wrong.

As recently as last July, Boris Johnson vowed to set up an independent inquiry into the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, but he has so far not set a date, saying it will not be was not the time.

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The call to confirm the start date was made as workers around the world took part in the International Workers’ Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, in memory of those killed or injured on the job.

The TUC and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), will ask the public to take part in a minute of silence at noon, in memory of those who have passed away.

The TUC said a public inquiry must examine issues such as the degree to which workers are protected from infection, the amount of financial support offered to people who need to self-isolate, the availability of PPE for health workers. health and care throughout the crisis and whether the workplace safety laws were enforced.

Secretary General Frances O’Grady said: “We owe it to them and their families to continue the public inquiry. The Prime Minister is to announce a date when it will begin.

“Any public inquiry must examine the reasons why workers have been put at risk. It is not about settling scores. It’s about getting answers and learning from them to save lives in the future.

The general…