Parliamentary committee of inquiry into COVID-19 visits London
The Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the COVID-19 Pandemic visited the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in London from 29 to 31 January 2025. It is rare for two neighbouring countries to conduct an inquiry into the same subject at the same time and with similar aims, which in this case is to draw lessons from the coronavirus pandemic. The chair of the committee of inquiry, Daan de Kort, looks back on an inspiring visit: "It was incredibly interesting and valuable to hear about the experiences of our British counterparts, and to see how they’re approaching this. We can put those experiences to good use in our own inquiry."
Sharing knowledge and experience
The UK’s COVID-19 policy was broadly similar to that of the Netherlands. There were comparable challenges like the lockdowns, the vaccination strategy and pressure on the healthcare system. During the working visit, the committee met with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Topics discussed included the human impact, research methods, as well as the selection of witnesses for public hearings.
Public hearings
The committee also visited one of the public hearings currently taking place in the UK. These are similar to the public hearings that will be held in the House of Representatives’ Inquiry Room in the spring of 2026, where witnesses will be required to testify under oath. While visiting the Houses of Parliament, the Dutch committee also discussed the role and functioning of the UK Parliament during the pandemic.
Every Story Matters
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is an independent public inquiry into the UK’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the impact of the pandemic itself. Its aim is to learn lessons for the future. As part of the inquiry’s Every Story Matters project, people from across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) are being called upon to share their unique stories. The UK Inquiry wants to learn as much as possible about the impact COVID-19 has had on people’s lives. Residents shared their stories, which the inquiry will use to inform its investigation. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has so far heard from around 54,000 people right across the UK.
The Dutch approach
The parliamentary committee of inquiry into the COVID-19 Pandemic has adopted an inquiry proposal outlining six periods of investigation and six themes to address key questions and draw lessons for the future. The committee will explicitly examine the roles played by the cabinet and the House of Representatives during the crisis, drawing on relevant scientific insights and literature throughout its investigation. Ministries and other organisations can expect to receive information requests, and the committee will also conduct interviews and carry out working visits. The aim of these working visits is to get a picture of how different groups of people experienced the pandemic.
Committee members
The parliamentary committee of inquiry into the COVID-19 Pandemic consists of the following MPs: Daan de Kort (VVD – chair), Anita Pijpelink (GroenLinks-PvdA), Peter Smitskam (PVV) and Sander van Waveren (NSC). Find out more about the committee on its webpage.