---

Public inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2005

Public inquiries are investigations set up by the government, usually to consider events of major public concern or controversial policy issues.

This interactive dashboard shows the cost and duration of each statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005, as well as giving other key facts about each inquiry.

More information about how inquiries operate can be found in the Commons Library research briefing on Public inquiries.

Open a printable version 

If you would like to access this information in an alternative format please email papers@parliament.uk and we will review your request. 

Notes and definitions

Chair

Every inquiry is led by a chair, who is appointed by the minister setting up the inquiry.

The chair is responsible for managing the inquiry, including holding hearings and writing any inquiry reports. The chair will also write to the minister to confirm when the inquiry has completed its terms of reference and can formally close.

Cost per day (real terms)

The cost per day is calculated based on the final cost of an inquiry in real (inflation-adjusted) terms and the number of days for which the inquiry lasted.

The cost per day is only calculated for closed inquiries.

Duration (days)

The duration is calculated based on the number of days between when the inquiry was formally established under section 5 of the Inquiries Act 2005 and when the inquiry was formally closed under section 14 of the act.

For ongoing inquiries, the duration is shown as the number of days for which the inquiry has been running so far.

Final cost (real terms)

The final cost (real terms) is the cost of an inquiry adjusted for inflation.

It is calculated based on the reported costs in nominal (cash) terms. The nominal cost in the final year of the inquiry is then converted to its real-terms cost in 2026 prices using a GDP deflator.

The real terms cost is only calculated for closed inquiries.

Inquiry status

An inquiry is ‘announced’ if a minister has stated that they will establish an inquiry, but the inquiry has not yet been formally established under section 5 of the Inquiries Act 2005.

An inquiry is ‘ongoing’ if it has been formally established and has not yet been formally closed under section 14 of the act.

An inquiry is ‘closed’ if it has been formally closed under section 14 of the act.

Non-statutory inquiry

A non-statutory inquiry is an inquiry established by a minister without using the Inquiries Act 2005 or any other legislation.

Non-statutory inquiries do not have the same powers as a statutory inquiry (for example, they cannot compel witnesses to give evidence) and they are not bound by the same rules (for example, around financial reporting).

Panel

An inquiry can be led either by a chair alone, or by a chair alongside an inquiry panel.

Where there is a panel, they will support the chair in reading documentary evidence, questioning witnesses at hearings and writing any inquiry reports.

Reported costs (nominal terms)

The reported costs (nominal terms) are the actual costs reported by an inquiry.

For closed inquiries, this will be the final cost. For ongoing inquiries, this will be the costs reported so far.

Sponsor department or administration

Every inquiry is set up by one or more ministers. Any minister can set up an inquiry, whether they belong to a UK Government department or a devolved administration. However, ministers in the Scottish Government, Welsh Government or the Northern Ireland Executive can only set up inquiries to investigate devolved issues.

The minister’s department or administration sponsors the inquiry and is responsible for paying the inquiry’s costs.

Statutory inquiry

A statutory inquiry is an inquiry established by a minister under the Inquiries Act 2005 or, more rarely, other legislation.

Statutory inquiries have certain powers and responsibilities set out in the act. The Inquiry Rules 2006 (or the Inquiry Rules (Scotland) 2007) set out more detailed rules for how statutory inquiries operate.

Sources

This analysis is based on House of Commons Library analysis of sources including inquiry documents and Hansard records. The data used can be found in the 'Data table' document attached to this page. A full list of sources can be found in the ‘Sources’ document attached to this page.

Data updates

We aim to update this dashboard quarterly. MPs and their staff can contact the Commons Library with queries about updates.