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Lampard Inquiry

Ongoing
Chair Baroness Lampard Legal professional (non-judge)
Established 27 Oct 2023
Commissioned by Department of Health and Social Care

Statutory public inquiry into more than 2,000 deaths of mental health inpatients under NHS Essex services (Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and North East London Foundation Trust) between 2000 and 2023. Originally established as the Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry on 21 January 2021 (non-statutory). Converted to statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 by formal notice on 27 October 2023, relaunched as the Lampard Inquiry on 1 November 2023. Hearings ongoing through 2026; closing speeches expected autumn 2026; final report with recommendations anticipated end of 2027.

2 years, 4 months Duration (ongoing)
£8.6m Total Cost
Inquiry Website Terms of Reference
6 questions 2 statements since Feb 2024
Written Question Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry
Sir John Whittingdale (Conservative)
15 Sep 2025
Written Question Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry
Dr Jeevun Sandher (Labour)
04 Oct 2024
Written Ministerial Statement Lampard Inquiry Update
Lord Markham (Conservative)
15 Apr 2024
Written Ministerial Statement Lampard Inquiry Update
Victoria Atkins (Conservative)
15 Apr 2024
Written Question Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry
Priti Patel (Conservative)
28 Feb 2024
View all 8 mentions →
All Activity (8)
22 Sep 2023
Inquiry Announced

Health Secretary announced a non-statutory inquiry into mental health deaths in Essex.

22 Sep 2023
Chair Appointed

Baroness Lampard appointed to lead the inquiry.

01 Dec 2023
Terms of Reference Set

Inquiry to examine deaths of mental health in-patients since 2000.

Source
01 Apr 2024
Evidence Gathering

Inquiry began gathering evidence.

01 Jan 2025
Hearings Ongoing

The inquiry continues gathering evidence and holding hearings.

Source
Total Inquiry Cost (Cumulative) £8,582,608
to Mar 2025 Cumulative expenditure Oct 2023 - Mar 2025
Cost Breakdown (to Mar 2025)
Inquiry Legal Costs £4,271,971 Panel remuneration & Counsel to the Inquiry
Core Participant Legal Costs £1,087,890 Legal funding for core participants
Staff £1,068,088
Accommodation £191,287
Technology £276,539
Other £660,624
First full operational year. Chair (Baroness Lampard) salary £239,500 included in staff costs. Legal costs include counsel to the inquiry and solicitor teams. S40 costs are legal expenses awarded to Core Participants under Inquiries Act 2005. Other costs = Public hearings/witness engagement (£568,737) + Specialist contractors (£91,886). Funded by Department of Health and Social Care.
Cost History
Period Total Inquiry Legal CP Legal Source
Mar 2025 £7,556,399 £4,271,971 £1,087,890
Mar 2025 (cum.) £8,582,608 - -
Apr 2024 £1,026,209 - -