Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic there were not many businesses in the UK that specialised in producing PPE with most of it coming from overseas. The pandemic saw steep rises in global prices for PPE as demand for it surged throughout the world. As part of its initial pandemic response, the Department decided to try and encourage UK manufacturers to start producing PPE in order to increase the short-term supply and to help improve the UK’s long term resilience and ability to respond in the even...

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic there were not many businesses in the UK that specialised in producing PPE with most of it coming from overseas. The pandemic saw steep rises in global prices for PPE as demand for it surged throughout the world. As part of its initial pandemic response, the Department decided to try and encourage UK manufacturers to start producing PPE in order to increase the short-term supply and to help improve the UK’s long term resilience and ability to respond in the event of future pandemics.63 This “UK Make” strategy resulted in the Department signing 37 contracts with UK manufacturers worth £1.1 billion for 3.9 billion Type: conclusion | Number: 20 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 6: PAC conclusion: The future of the UK-based supply chain for PPE is unclear. 6: PAC recommendation: The Department should explain in its Treasury Minute response what the role of UK based suppliers of PPE is expected to be going forward. This should include wha