country s pre pandemic preparations before 2020. north korea fires a suspected missile overjapan, in what appears to be a deliberate escalation to get the attention of tokyo and washington. hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. the first preliminary hearing of the uk covid 19 inquiry is about to begin. there will be an opening statement by the chair of the inquiry, baroness hallett, followed by a minute s silence. the session will focus on how prepared the uk was for a pandemic before 2020. joining us now from the inquiry is our health correspondent, jim reed . hello. just tell us a little more, if you would, about this first phase of the inquiry? of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry was announced of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry was announced by of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry was announced by boris - of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry| was announced by boris johnson of the inquiry? yes, this inquiry - was announced by boris johnson back was
which was his preferred date. i understand that data is being brought forward and at that chimes with the office for budget responsibility figures coming out at the end of october then i think that will probably satisfy mel stride, the chairman of the treasury select committee and it will satisfy me as well. ., committee and it will satisfy me as well. w, ., committee and it will satisfy me as well. ., ., w ., committee and it will satisfy me as well. ., ., , , well. coming out soon i will satisfy ou but well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about if well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about if the - well. coming out soon i will satisfy you but what about if the answer i well. coming out soon i will satisfyl you but what about if the answer is, ok, in orderto you but what about if the answer is, ok, in order to pay for what we have already announced