Boris Johnson has said an independent public inquiry with wide-ranging statutory powers will begin hearing evidence in spring 2022 into the UK government’s handling of Covid-19.

Although the terms of reference have yet to be agreed, the inquiry is expected to focus on identifying lessons from the pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 127,500 people, Europe’s highest death toll.

Here are some areas that could be under scrutiny:

Preparedness

The UK’s biological security strategy was never properly implemented.

Lockdowns

Did Britain lock down too late, and what role did “behavioural science” play, especially at the beginning?

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Despite the government spending £18bn on PPE contracts, the National Audit Office led criticism of contractual practices.

Care homes

The deaths of around 40,000 care home residents in the UK – around a third of all fatalities – have long been regarded as one of the greatest failures of the government.

Black and minority ethnic communities

There is no doubt that pre-existing inequalities facing BAME communities had a major impact on their vulnerability to the virus.

Test and trace

NHS test and trace ultimately failed to deliver on its central promise of averting another lockdown, despite a budget of £37bn over two years.

The science

While much of the scientific analysis will take years to complete, the inquiry is likely to be keenly interested in the extent to which advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) was followed by the government and how quickly.

Vaccines

Under the stewardship of the venture capitalist Kate Bingham, the UK’s early and extensive procurement and rollout of a portfolio of vaccines has been a success story that has arguably contrasted sharply with that of the European Union.