ARCHIVED: This archived Checklist is a summary of how the 2014 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code differed from the 2012 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code. It is not maintained and is for background information only. Checklist—2012 UKCG Code and 2014 UKCG Code compared In September 2014, the Financial Reporting Council published a new version of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the 2014 UKCG Code) following its two-yearly consultation on possible changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code (UKCG Code), which was launched in April 2014. The 2014 UKCG Code applied to companies with accounting periods beginning on or after 1 October 2014. This table shows how the 2014 UKCG Code differed from the version published in 2012 (the 2012 UKCG Code): Provision 2012 UKCG Code 2014 UKCG Code Preface Wording specific to the 2012 edition and preceding review of the UKCG Code has been removed and the overall section revised. The Main Principles Updated wording to reflect the changes made to the main principle

ARCHIVED: This archived Checklist is a summary of how the 2016 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code differed from the 2014 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code. it is not maintained and is for background information only. Checklist—2014 UKCG Code and 2016 UKCG Code compared In April 2016, the Financial Reporting Council published a new version of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the 2016 UKCG Code) to reflect changes brought in by Regulation (EU) 537/2014 (EU Audit Regulation), Directive 2014/56/EU (Statutory Audit Amending Directive) and the Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014 (Statutory Audit Services Order). The 2016 UKCG Code applied to companies with accounting periods beginning on or after 17 June 2016. This table shows how the 2016 UKCG Code differed from the version published in 2014 (the 2014 UKCG Code); differences are highlighted using italics (new text) and square brackets (deletions): Provision 2014 UKCG Code 2016 UKCG Code Preface Wording specific

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 5 report on the procurement and distribution of healthcare equipment finds that the UK government and devolved administrations were inadequately prepared, resulting in shortages, ‘vast’ waste and reduced public confidence. It says the high priority or ‘VIP’ lane should not have been set up and must not be repeated. It recommends improved systems for emergency procurement.

The Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, Baroness Hallett, has announced plans for the public hearing dates in three further investigations that will take place from autumn 2024 until spring 2025. Module 3 public hearings will investigate the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems and will run from 9 September 2024 until 28 November 2024, with a two week break between 14 and 25 October 2024. Baroness Hallett plans to hear evidence for Module 4 (examining vaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatment) from 14 January 2025 and for Module 5 (exploring pandemic procurement) from 3 March 2025.  Hearing dates for Module 6 (examining the care sector) will be announced later in 2024. Baroness Hallett has said that the report for Module 1 will be published in mid-2024 and that she aims to conclude public hearings by summer 2026.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its third report and recommendations following its investigation into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on healthcare systems across the UK. The report finds that the UK entered the pandemic with limited healthcare resilience, including workforce shortages, low bed capacity and high occupancy rates. It concludes that, while systems avoided collapse, this was associated with reduced standards of care, delays to treatment and adverse outcomes for both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients. The report also outlines recommendations aimed at improving preparedness and response for future pandemics.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry, chaired by the Rt Hon the Baroness Hallett DBE, published its Module 4 report on vaccines and therapeutics, finding that the UK government, regulators and health systems rapidly developed, authorised and delivered effective vaccines and treatments within a year, supported by strong research capability, coordinated funding, expedited but rigorous regulation and an at-risk procurement strategy, which together reduced severe illness, deaths and pressure on healthcare services. The Inquiry found, however, that preparedness was constrained by limited manufacturing capacity, a narrow focus on influenza planning, weaker capability in therapeutics particularly antivirals and insufficient strategic coordination, while delivery exposed disparities in vaccine uptake, barriers to access and confusion over eligibility for some groups. It also found that regulatory systems maintained safety and independence but required improved access to patient data for monitoring, and that existing compensation arrangements for vaccine injury were inadequate. The Inquiry recommended establishing a standing pharmaceutical expert advisory panel to oversee preparedness, increasing investment in research and manufacturing, improving data sharing for safety surveillance, developing targeted strategies to raise vaccine uptake and reduce inequalities, strengthening evaluation of delivery, and reforming the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme to provide fairer support.

Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, gave evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 6 and 7 December 2023. Module 2 covers core political and administrative governance, as well as the UK’s decision-making.

Former First Minister for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, gave evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 31 January 2024. Module 2 covers core political and administrative governance, as well as the UK’s decision-making.

Rishi Sunak, former Chancellor of the Exchequer and current Prime Minister, gave evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on 11 December 2023. Module 2 covers core political and administrative governance, as well as the UK’s decision-making.

Public Law analysis: The Covid-19 Inquiry was established under the Inquiries Act 2005 to examine the UK’s response to the pandemic and its impact, as well as the lessons learned. The Inquiry Terms of Reference were finalised in June 2022 and the investigation is divided into separate Modules with corresponding preliminary and full hearings. This bulletin outlines the latest substantive hearings and evidence in Module 2A.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published its first report and recommendations on Module 1. This report focuses on the state of the UK’s central structures and procedures for pandemic emergency preparedness, resilience and response. The report found various significant flaws including, but not limited to, emergency planning being complicated by the many institutions and structures involved, a flawed approach to risk assessment and a failure to fully learn from past civil emergency exercises and outbreaks of disease.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has announced that it has opened the Inquiry’s eighth investigation (Module 8) examining the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on children and young people. The Core Participant application window will be open from 21 May to 17 June 2024. The Inquiry has also announced that Module 9 will focus on the economic response to the Coronavirus pandemic. This investigation will open in July 2024. The Inquiry has also said that a further investigation is expected to be announced in the Autumn of 2024 which will explore the impact of the pandemic in various ways, including on the mental health and wellbeing of the population.