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Covid-19 Update
31 March 2022
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement addresses the government's handling of PPE procurement and surplus management during the pandemic.
Action Requested
The minister announces measures to reduce excess PPE, including sales, repurposing, recycling, and disposal. The Department is also pursuing dispute resolution to recover costs from suppliers where necessary.
Key Facts
- Over 19.1 billion items of PPE were delivered.
- Surplus stock has been sold, reused, donated both domestically and internationally, recycled, or recovered through original suppliers.
- Investigations into 176 contracts due to dissatisfaction with quality control or breaches are ongoing.
- Contracts for 1.21 billion items have been cancelled or varied, saving £572 million.
- Masks worth 330 million have been sold and more sales are in pipeline.
- Donations include 207 million masks to schools and 38 million to transport operators.
- 23 million visors recycled into plastic food trays.
- Every pallet of PPE sold, repurposed, donated, or recycled saves taxpayers £2.75 a week.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy