UNIONS have demanded a public inquiry into the “grotesque” failure to provide front-line workers with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). 

The TUC says that ministers must commit to undertaking an independent judge-led inquiry on the issue by the end of the year.

In a statement issued today, it says that the failure to give staff adequate PPE has resulted in workers being exposed to unnecessary risk — citing the deaths of more than 80 health and social-care workers in the pandemic so far.