Story perspectives

UK Treasury Adds £5bn, Covid Costs Hit £385bn

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The UK Treasury added £5 billion to Covid-19 spending, raising pandemic costs to £385 billion.
Since 2020 the Treasury has spent £380 billion on Covid-19, with £80 billion by the health department and £50 billion by the Treasury.
The extra £11.4 billion overspend stems from NHS settlements, loan losses and a vaccine taskforce.
Debt rose from 84 % to 94 % of GDP, raising interest payments above £110 billion and the welfare bill by £11.5 billion as incapacity-benefit claims rose.

1 of 1

Story summary

The UK Treasury added £5 billion to Covid-19 spending, raising pandemic costs to £385 billion.
Since 2020 the Treasury has spent £380 billion on Covid-19, with £80 billion by the health department and £50 billion by the Treasury.
The extra £11.4 billion overspend stems from NHS settlements, loan losses and a vaccine taskforce.
Debt rose from 84 % to 94 % of GDP, raising interest payments above £110 billion and the welfare bill by £11.5 billion as incapacity-benefit claims rose.