David Cameron admits his government made a mistake by focusing on flu in pandemic planning

DAVID Cameron yesterday admitted his government made a “mistake” by focusing on flu in its pandemic planning.

And he regrets the “many consequences” of not fully considering other illnesses.

The former PM denied his austerity policies damaged the UK’s ability to cope when Covid hit — saying his administration’s actions saved the nation from a further £1trillion of debt.

However, he was heckled as he left the official Covid inquiry over claims the NHS had been devastated by cutbacks.

Mr Cameron, the first senior politician to give evidence, said: “I think it was a mistake not to look more at the range of different types of pandemic.

“Much more time was spent on pandemic flu and its dangers rather than on other potential respiratory diseases.”

Mr Cameron was also asked about a report into Exercise Alice — a hypothetical drill in 2016 to test the UK’s response to the outbreak of a coronavirus.

He said he would have approved funding for the stockpiles of PPE it recommended “had I been asked”.

Defending his austerity policies, he said the “capacity to suddenly borrow” was part of his planning — and that the Covid furlough scheme was only possible “as we had the financial capacity”.

Ex-Chancellor George Osborne gives evidence today, followed by ex-Health Secretary, now Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt tomorrow.