Inquiries Manchester Arena Inquiry Reported

Manchester Arena Inquiry

Public inquiry into the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017, which killed 22 people and injured over 1,000 others.

Where it stands

Public hearings were held on 213 days between November 2019 and March 2022. The inquiry has published 3 reports, most recently Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 3: Radicalisation and Preventability on 2 March 2023. The most recent government response on the record is Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations (GOV.UK page linking to the Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard), dated 1 May 2026.

ChairSir John SaundersJudge / Judiciary
Commissioned byHome Office
Established22 Oct 2019
Final report2 Mar 2023
Duration3 years, 4 months
Total reported cost£36.3m
Inquiry website Terms of reference Official statement
Manchester Arena Attack 22 May 2017
Announced 22 Oct 2019
Hearings 7 Sep 2020 · 213 sitting days
Volume 2 Published 3 Nov 2022
Final report 2 Mar 2023
Recommendations 169 tracked

Reports & recommendations

All 169 recommendations →
169 recommendations across 3 reports

Government response

Accepted 164
Accepted in part 5
Latest statement by addressee
Cabinet Office says in progress: 90; another body’s finding on record for 1
Cabinet Office says completed: 77; another body’s finding on record for 3
Department of Health and Social Care says in progress: 1
Home Office says in progress: 1

"No statement found" means none was found in the sources searched, last checked 11 June 2026. Each figure is the latest statement from the body the recommendation is addressed to. Other bodies’ findings are shown on each recommendation and do not change these figures.

Data last updated: 3 Sep 2026 · Source
Checked against sources: 11 Jun 2026
How to read this

Government Response tracks what the government said it would do (accepted, rejected, etc.).

Full methodology

Latest evidence

All 4344 documents →
Hearing Transcript · 209Exhibit · 858Opening Statement · 9Ruling / Determination · 20Other · 3248
PII to RO Ruling 25.10.21
Ruling / Determination · 25 Oct 2021
Ruling on Special Advocates 7.10.21
Ruling / Determination · 7 Oct 2021
Chapter 12 Hearing – Transcript of F2, 27 September (27/09/2021)
Hearing Transcript · 27 Sep 2021
Ruling on CP Status of Supt. Dexter and Ch. Insp. Sexton 2.2.21 FINAL 93754683_1
Ruling / Determination · 2 Feb 2021
Ruling on submissions heard on 14th January 2021 FINAL 93276192_1
Ruling / Determination · 14 Jan 2021
Transcript 15 December
Hearing Transcript · 16 Dec 2020

Evidence & Impact

The Manchester Arena Inquiry was established following the terrorist attack at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017 that killed 22 people. Sir John Saunders published the final report on 2 March 2023, making 169 recommendations across emergency response, security arrangements, and public safety.

The government accepted 164 recommendations (97%) and accepted 5 in principle (3%). Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated in Parliament on 6 March 2023 that the government would 'carefully consider the report's findings and recommendations in full' and committed to ensuring lessons were learned. A recommendations tracking dashboard was subsequently published.

Progress updates from February 2026 indicate that 78 recommendations (46%) are recorded as completed and 91 (54%) remain in progress. Key developments documented include the publication of Joint Operating Principles Version 3 for responding to terrorist attacks, establishment of a new multi-agency radio control system, and introduction of the Ten Second Triage system for major incidents.

Several working groups and programmes have been established, including the Clinical Response to Major Incidents group and the Stronger Local Resilience Forum trailblazer programme. The Security Industry Authority has worked with the Health and Safety Executive to develop enhanced first aid training incorporating the inquiry's recommendations.

However, multiple recommendations show limited documented progress nearly three years after publication. Several relating to legislative changes, including extending Security Industry Authority licensing and reforms to the Inquiries Act 2005, remain under consideration. The development of a healthcare standard for events, while noted as progressing with research projects complete, is not due for publication until 2026. The Clinical Response to Major Incidents group has revised its timeline to 2027 due to resource constraints.

The Ministry of Justice has stated there are no current plans to increase maximum sentences under the Inquiries Act, despite this being recommended. Various guidance documents and approved professional practices are noted as being developed but have not yet been published according to the available evidence.
Reforms Attributed to This Inquiry
- Joint Operating Principles (JOPs) Version 3 published and signed off by tri-services following the inquiry, containing additional principles for responding to Marauding Terrorist Attacks
- New multi-agency radio control talk group established, shared between police, fire and ambulance services and monitored 24/7 in control rooms
- Ten Second Triage system introduced for first responders at major incidents, including appropriate visible identifiers and triage labels
- Sector-specific Emergency First Aid at Work certificate developed by Security Industry Authority with Health and Safety Executive, incorporating inquiry-recommended training areas
- Clinical Response to Major Incidents (CRMI) working group established to implement healthcare-related recommendations
- Public Access Trauma Kit contents clinically reviewed and finalised, with specifications published on PROTECT UK website
- New operational and tactical commanders training devised and launched to police forces
- Stronger Local Resilience Forum trailblazer programme launched in spring 2025 with five participating LRFs: Cumbria, Greater Manchester, London, Northumbria and Suffolk
Unfinished Business
- Recommendation on extending Security Industry Authority licensing requirements for CCTV monitoring and security contractors - noted as requiring legislative change but no evidence of progress
- Recommendations relating to reforms of the Inquiries Act 2005 - Cabinet Office noted as considering wider reforms but no specific action documented
- Recommendation to increase maximum sentence for Inquiries Act offences - Ministry of Justice stated there are no current plans to increase the maximum sentence
- Multiple recommendations relating to the development of a healthcare standard for events - research projects noted as complete but standard not yet published (due 2026)
- Legislative changes on analgesia - consultation document being drafted by Department of Health and Social Care but not yet published
- National Events guidance - noted as currently being developed but not yet published
- Command and control approved professional practice (APP) - due for launch in 2025 but not yet published
Summary written by the tracker with AI assistance, 26 March 2026. Not part of the inquiry record; indicative, not authoritative.

Findings about the inquiry's recommendations as a whole

Home Office Consultation (18 Dec 2025)
This site's summary of the finding: Government consultation opened 18 December 2025 on monitored recommendations 7 and 8: whether in-house CCTV operators should be SIA-licensed (MR7) and whether security contractors should be licensed (MR8). Closes 12 March 2026.
Cabinet Office (14 Nov 2025)
This site's summary of the finding: Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.
UK Parliament (3 Apr 2025)
This site's summary of the finding: Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027).
National Police Chiefs Council (5 Jun 2023)
This site's summary of the finding: NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents."

Costs

Total reported cost £36,323,455
22 Oct 2019 to 31 Aug 2023 Cumulative Total Oct 2019 - Aug 2023

Cumulative Total Oct 2019 - Aug 2023

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 22 Oct 2019 to 31 Aug 2023.

Total inquiry cost £36.32 million. Inquiry ran from Oct 2019 to June 2023. Chair: Sir John Saunders. Three volumes of reports published 2022-2023. S40 payments (Core Participant legal costs) totalled £12.03 million.

Cumulative Total Oct 2019 - Aug 2023

Breakdown and notes

Cost breakdown (to Aug 2023)

Inquiry Legal Costs £12,933,544 Panel remuneration & Counsel to the Inquiry
Core Participant Legal Costs £12,025,040 Legal funding for core participants
Staff £2,253,186
Accommodation £2,319,627
Technology £5,344,006
Other £1,448,052

Cost history (6 reports)

Period Total Inquiry Legal CP Legal Source
Aug 2023 £433,226 £161,032 £50,193

Financial Report Apr-Aug 2023 (Final)

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 1 Apr 2023 to 31 Aug 2023.

Final period. Inquiry concluded June 2023. Chairman salary £34,935. Inquiry Secretary £9,611.

Financial Report Apr-Aug 2023 (Final)
Aug 2023 (cum.) £36,323,455 £12,933,544 £12,025,040

Cumulative Total Oct 2019 - Aug 2023

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 22 Oct 2019 to 31 Aug 2023.

Total inquiry cost £36.32 million. Inquiry ran from Oct 2019 to June 2023. Chair: Sir John Saunders. Three volumes of reports published 2022-2023. S40 payments (Core Participant legal costs) totalled £12.03 million.

Cumulative Total Oct 2019 - Aug 2023
Mar 2023 £2,900,968 £1,518,494 £169,977

Financial Report FY22-23

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 1 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023.

Chairman salary £313,997 (includes ~£26,600 backdated pay). Inquiry Secretary £115,852. Publication/Printing £145,799 for report production.

Financial Report FY22-23
Mar 2022 £13,359,502 £4,525,677 £4,421,346

Financial Report FY21-22

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 1 Apr 2021 to 31 Mar 2022.

Chairman salary £285,630 plus expenses £23,035. Inquiry Secretary £111,818. Health Services £260,713.

Financial Report FY21-22
Mar 2021 £15,871,460 £4,700,572 £6,326,137

Financial Report FY20-21

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 1 Apr 2020 to 31 Mar 2021.

Chairman salary £256,969 plus expenses £10,430. Inquiry Secretary £110,756. Health Services for witness support £120,018.

Financial Report FY20-21
Mar 2020 £3,758,299 £2,027,769 £1,057,387

Financial Report FY19-20

Source and qualifications

Accounting period: 22 Oct 2019 to 31 Mar 2020.

First partial year (Oct 2019-Mar 2020). Chairman Sir John Saunders salary £39,306. Inquiry Secretary £28,886.

Financial Report FY19-20