Poor planning for the pandemic in local government contributed to its devastating impact on adult social care, the Covid Inquiry has found.

Baroness Hallett's latest report uncovered a ‘failure in pre-pandemic planning' that led to ‘confusion' at all levels of government when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020.

The report found it was unclear whether plans specifically for a pandemic existed at local government level.

Baroness Hallett said this ‘exposed and exacerbated the underlying fragility of the adult social care workforce' and that ‘it cannot be allowed to enter the next pandemic in such an unprepared state'.

During the inquiry, the Welsh Local Government Association spoke of ‘conflicting demands' between local and national government ‘remains a challenge for the sector'.

Similarly, there were found to be ‘complex lines of accountability' in England.

The report recognised that payments through councils to sustain care providers was ‘pivotal' but not without challenges.

It found ‘inconsistencies' in the proof of expenditure required to access funds, with some being ‘disproportionate'.

Although rarely used, the report said there should be ‘more transparency and greater understanding about when it is appropriate to use easements'.

Baroness Hallett said local government would have role to play in several recommendations.

They include drawing up pandemic plans setting out the responsibilities of local authorities, health and social care trusts and partnerships, collecting data on workforce deaths during future pandemics, and creating a voluntary workforce register to ‘strengthen the professionalisation and recognition' of staff.

Local Government Association chair Cllr Eamonn O'Brien said: ‘This report is an important opportunity to ensure lessons are learned.

‘We're pleased to now be working closely with Government on preparation, should there ever be a future pandemic.

‘It is essential that the sector is adequately funded and recognised as an equal partner to the NHS.'

Health secretary Yvette Cooper added: ‘The report finds the adult social care sector was in a fragile state and insufficiently prepared for a pandemic, and that social care was too often treated as an afterthought in comparison to the priority placed on protecting the NHS.'