Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Resident doctors’ strike planned for Monday in england has been called off at the last minute after government makes new offer 0143
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 26/11/2025Reeves announces in budget that she will exempt compensation payments for the Infected Blood Scheme from inheritance tax "regardless of the circumstances in which those payments are passed down". www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cy...bbc.co.ukBudget 2025: Follow Rachel Reeves speech liveThe Office for Budget Responsibility apologises for the error after publishing Budget measures including a charge on homes over £2m and changes to Isas. 061
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 22/11/2025Baroness Hallett published her 800 page report into the big political decisions made in Covid this week. So we put together a 25 min wrap up with some reaction from the Today programme. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 59. 'Too Little, Too Late' - BBC SoundsBaroness Hallett makes her second report into the UK's pandemic response. With Jim Reed. 562
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 10/06/2025If you read one thing today, read this on failures in acute mental health care and how small things - like understanding need to keep plastic bin liners out of reach - can be so important. By James Melley and Alison Holt who’ve been at trial every day. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukAlice Figueiredo: We quit our jobs, sold our home twice and spent 10 years fighting the NHSA NHS trust and hospital manager have been found guilty of health and safety failings over the death of Alice Figueiredo. 012
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 31/05/2025This latest part of #covidinquiry is over after hearing from 41 witnesses on test and trace. Interesting last week with evidence from head of programme in England, Dido Harding. Here’s 30 min version of our report which ran on Today Programme this morning. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...bbc.co.ukBBC Sounds - The Covid Inquiry Podcast - Available EpisodesListen to the latest episodes of The Covid Inquiry Podcast on BBC Sounds. 3112
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 28/05/2025Dido Harding was, as expected, pretty strong today at #covidinquiry on the need for more support for people to self isolate in the pandemic. Said she was frustrated by Rishi Sunak who rejected that argument at “every opportunity” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukCash to self-isolate would have saved lives, Covid inquiry toldBaroness Dido Harding tells Covid inquiry Rishi Sunak blocked higher support payments. 144523
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 24/05/2025I’d say this last week was one of more interesting of #covidinquiry so far. Thoughtful testimony from Hancock, Drakeford & Vallance about what went right/wrong with test and trace and what should change. Here’s extended version of Today Programme report. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...?bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 48. 'We suggested more carrot, but they always want to go for stick' - BBC SoundsThe Inquiry hears more about testing & whether the UK is prepared for another pandemic 254
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 23/05/2025I just didn't have the time to post about Matt Hancock, Lord Bethell and Lord Vallance yesterday at #covidinquiry as was doing other BBC stuff. But here's what wrote for the website. Will pack a lot more in podcast for the weekend. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukBoris Johnson wanted authoritarian Covid rules, inquiry hearsIn his diaries, Lord Vallance wrote that ex-PM thought rules were not ruthless enough. 242
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 21/05/2025Quick summary of what happened today at #covidinquiry where it's all been about test and trace in Northern Ireland. And all focus was on what sounds like a right barney of a meeting on 16 March 2020 - a week before lockdown - about a decision to scrap community testing for Covid. 131
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 20/05/2025And finally we heard about 90 mins worth of testimony from Wales's former first minister Mark Drakeford, making his third appearance at #covidinquiry. Again he was asked about Welsh government policies to do with test and trace. 131
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 20/05/2025nd in this afternoon's session at #covidinquiry... there was more on the Welsh government response re: test and trace. First up was Wales's health minister through most of the pandemic (and then short-lived first minister) Vaughan Gething. 121
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 20/05/2025Then we heard from Jo-Anne Daniels, the official who led the test and trace programme in Wales (called TTP - Test, Trace & Protect). Here she is on the left hand side being sworn in earlier this morning. 211
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 20/05/2025Quick summary of what happened this morning at #covidinquiry. We started off with Dan York-Smith, who is director general of tax and welfare at the Treasury. So lots of questions about the amount of money involved in test and trace and support payments for people told to isolate. 222
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Finally this afternoon at #covidinquiry we heard evidence from Dominic Cook, a partner at the consultants Deloitte who were heavily involved in loads of work on the test and trace programme, with contracts worth a meaty £395 million over the course of the pandemic. 242
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Prof Chris Molloy continued giving evidence after lunch. He was interesting on the shoddy state of Covid test samples coming into his labs. Emails showed appeared to arrive in all manner of different bottles and sample tubes including some, erm... "wrapped in Asda shopping bags". 232
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 19/05/2025Next up at #covidinquiry was Prof. Chris Molloy who oversaw the setting up of the first four Lighthouse labs in the pandemic. These were the giant sites created by the government to (eventually) process hundreds of thousands of Covid PCR tests each day. 230
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 19/05/2025So we're in week #2 of #3 weeks of hearings at the Covid Inquiry on test and trace. First up this morning is Timothy Spector, a professor of epidemiology at Kings College London and the co-founder of the Zoe App which, in the pandemic, was used to track Covid symptoms. 241
Reposted by Jim ReedProf Naomi Fulop @profnaomifulop.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Listen to last week’s #covidinquiry hearings on the failures of test & trace. Highlights incl Paul Nurse. Also some snippets from my evidence. @jimreedbbc.bsky.social @cbffjuk.bsky.social 253
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 17/05/2025The Covid inquiry is back with 3 weeks of hearings about test and trace. If you’re interested in what really happened in the pandemic - and the £30bn spent on test and trace - then here’s longer version of our report which ran on Today Programme this AM. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 47. 'Test and Trace is like Whack-A-Mole' - BBC SoundsThe Inquiry hears evidence about the effectiveness of Test and Trace. Jim Reed reports. 122
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 29/04/2025PSG team bus has just parked up outside the flash Langham hotel (opposite BBC HQ off Regent’s Street). Meant to show balance and all that but come on Arsenal. 141
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 09/04/2025The infected blood inquiry, which we thought was done and dusted with its final report last year, has just called cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds back to special hearing on May 7. All to address concerns that compensation is taking way too long to get off the ground. 142
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 03/04/2025If you read the small print looks like there’s an exemption for pharmaceuticals in the Trump tariff announcement. That will please Glaxo and AstraZeneca given the UK exports £9bn of drugs a year to the US. www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/... 031
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 29/03/2025It’s final week of this part of #covidinquiry. And we heard more about how PPE deals were done in Scotland, Wales and NI (no VIP lane there) and how British army moved 1bn items around UK to “unclog” system. Long version of our Today programme report here.bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 46. 'France Cancelled The Order' - BBC SoundsThe Inquiry hears from those running the NHS in Wales, NI and Scotland. Jim Reed reports. 451
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Strange week at #covidinquiry with whole day of evidence behind closed doors. Still plenty to talk about including Matt Hancock getting upset with questions in spiky session and Lord Agnew describing criticism of VIP lane for PPE deals as "total bollocks". www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 45. 'Capitalism Saved Us' - BBC SoundsThe Inquiry hears from the key people sourcing PPE during the pandemic. Jim Reed reports. 2114
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 18/03/2025Conservative peer Lord Agnew getting punchy at #covidinquiry this pm. At one point calling controversy around the VIP lane (which could fast track PPE offers from firms with political connections) "such bollocks". Here talking to lawyer for bereaved families. 776
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 15/03/2025For anyone interested in #covidinquiry here’s our full 30 min recap of last week’s evidence. Michael Gove says whole ‘PPE scandal’ is (mostly) “politically motivated bilge” while ex Tory chair Lord Feldman is asked - in detail - about role in ‘VIP Lane’.bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 44. 'Politically Motivated Bilge' - BBC SoundsThe Covid Inquiry hears evidence on the priority lane for procurement. Jim Reed reports. 183
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 13/03/2025NHS Blood & Transplant invited load of health journalists to give blood today and promised would post about it. I didn’t do it until last year (bit pathetic re needles) and it really is so easy. Turns out my subtype is R0 so rare and partic useful for sickle cell patients. 5215
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 12/03/2025Baroness Michelle Mone and husband have lost appeal to Covid Inquiry to be core participants - would have given access to docs and right to apply to question witnesses. Inquiry chair said came 468 days too late and would cause "significant disruption". covid19.public-inquiry.uk/wp-content/u...covid19.public-inquiry.uk 072
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 08/03/2025The Covid Inquiry has kicked off its next stage - now looking at £15 billion spent on PPE in pandemic. Big focus already on VIP lane which fast-tracked offers from politicians and senior officials. Here's long version of report on @bbcr4today this morning. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 43. 'The VIP lane' - BBC SoundsThe Covid Inquiry begins taking evidence about the procurement of PPE. Jim Reed reports. 063
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 01/02/2025It was final week of hearings looking at vaccines and drugs at #covidinquiry. We heard Kemi Badenoch on misinformation, Dame Emily Lawson on NHS jabs rollout and Dr Clive Dix on how certain government decisions were “devastating” for vaccine industry. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...bbc.co.ukThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 42. 'A 5-Sided Rubik's Cube' - BBC SoundsThe Covid Inquiry finishes hearing evidence about the vaccine rollout. Jim Reed reports. 232
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 25/01/2025Busy week at #covidinquiry with 15 witnesses over 4 days on vaccines and drugs. If interested then here’s our extended podcast with ex vaccine tsar Dame Kate Bingham (never dull) plus Sir Chris Whitty and Sir JVT plus all the detail on vaccine safety. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kly04b?……buff.lyThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 41. 'Sharp Scratch' - BBC SoundsThe Covid Inquiry hears further evidence on the rollout of vaccines. Jim Reed reports. 1166
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Here's witness list for last week of #covidinquiry on vaccines & drugs. Ex-ministers including Kemi Badenoch plus Dr Clive Dix (v involved in Vaccine Task Force), Eddie Gray (ran Antiviral Taskforce) and Sarah Moore (represents those injured by jabs). And UK boss of Moderna. 132
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 23/01/2025So #covidinquiry commissioned serious research by academics at Oxford Uni into vaccine safety. Concludes “best evidence” suggests jabs saved millions of lives. And any suggestion they caused excess mortality is “low quality and has been in many cases misinterpreted.” A short 🧵 42313
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 18/01/2025The Covid inquiry is back for three weeks of busy hearings about vaccines and drugs. Loads to talk about already including attitudes to jabs, take up and safety issues. Here’s extended 30 min version of report which ran on Today programme this morning. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0kkg93g?……buff.lyThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 40. Vaccines - BBC SoundsThe Covid Inquiry begins a module looking at the vaccine rollout. Jim Reed reports. 41310
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 10/01/2025Next chunk of UK Covid inquiry opens next week. This one looks at vaccines and therapeutic drugs. Hearings last for 3 weeks and list for week 1 is PACKED. Couple of ex ministers including @matthancock + individuals representing bereaved families and those harmed by vaccines. 043
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 02/01/2025The UK Health Security Agency has just issued an amber Cold-Health Alert (CHA) for all regions of England from midday today until midday on Wednesday 8 January. All regions had previously been under a yellow CHA. 041
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 20/12/2024Was at the o2 yesterday for the last night of Paul McCartney’s tour. Amazing performance including Ringo Starr not just getting cheers from the crowd when turning up to watch but then joining him onstage for the Sargeant Pepper-themed encore. 042
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 13/12/2024This is a massive issue for investigative journalism. Even for large newsrooms (ie the BBC) doubling the cost of land registry searches is a huge obstacle, especially when you often don’t know exactly what you’re looking for so need multiple searches.buff.lyLand Registry price rise dubbed 'tax on proper journalism'Investigative newsrooms have decried a Land Registry move to double the cost of getting information, calling it a “tax on proper journalism”. 000
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 12/12/2024Cabinet office has just said 10 victims of infected blood scandal should receive first final compensation payments this week worth around £13m. There are still real issues with compensation process but - this still feels like important moment 40 years after many were infected. 052
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 08/12/2024Looks like there's going to be a push to recruit more GPs from summer under a 'refreshed' workforce plan. Wes Streeting says the original strategy, published in June 2023, would see hospital consultants ⬆️ 49% by 2036/37 but the number of fully qualified GPs only ⬆️ 4%. 032
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 05/12/2024So this year we've hit a new level of epidemic inflation in NHS England. For the first time we're now being warned about a QUAD-DEMIC of flu+covid+RSV+norovirus this winter. That's up from... 141
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 04/12/2024👀 www.euronews.com/health/2024/...euronews.comUnknown disease in DRC leaves dozens dead, officials sayOfficials said there was an unknown disease that left dozens dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 130
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 03/12/2024Lovely interview this with Dr Katalin Karikó, the woman who won the Nobel prize for medicine for her work which led to mRNA Covid vaccines. Well worth 9 mins of your time. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...bbc.co.ukBBC World Service - Witness History, The discovery that led to Covid vaccinesIn 2005, Dr Katalin Karikó published research that eventually won her the Nobel Prize 133
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 03/12/2024This time five years ago, first person with lab confirmed Covid was already feeling sick in Wuhan, China. Symptom onset for patient A was 1 Dec, 2019 with three more patients picked up by 10 Dec. First hospitalisations though were not for another week. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... 133
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 02/12/2024For all those itching to know a bit more about the new cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald.buff.lyWho is new chief civil servant Chris Wormald?Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says his new pick will be able to re-wire the British state. 111
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 02/12/2024Government’s just named Sir Chris Wormald as Simon Case’s replacement as cabinet secretary. Why important? Makes him one of most powerful people in UK, in charge of 500,000 civil servants. He’s now permanent secretary in health so *might* say something about Starmer’s priorities. 122
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 01/12/2024Some families told they would receive £100,000 interim compensation after their relatives died in the infected blood scandal have been sent letters saying their applications have been put on hold.buff.lyAnger after infected blood compensation put on holdSome families of those who died have been told payments due before Christmas have been put on hold. 243
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 01/12/2024Some families told they would receive £100,000 interim compensation payments in the infected blood scandal before Christmas have now been sent letters saying their applications have been put on hold.buff.lyAnger after infected blood compensation put on holdSome families of those who died have been told payments due before Christmas have been put on hold. 000
Jim Reed @jimreedbbc.bsky.social · 30/11/2024So after ten weeks this third part of the #covidinquiry looking at healthcare is over. It’s longest section with 96 witnesses heard and 17,000 documents submitted. Here’s extended version of what happened in final week. Back to talk vaccines in January. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0k7vd5p?…buff.lyThe Covid Inquiry Podcast - 39. 'Saying Goodbye By Text' - BBC SoundsIt's the final week examining the role of the NHS in the Covid Inquiry. Jim Reed reports. 0103