# Public inquiry gravy train

> 63 public inquiries launched in two decades as lawyers profit from taxpayer money.
- Title: Public inquiry gravy train · Dailymail | Shortify
- Summary: 63 public inquiries launched in two decades as lawyers profit from taxpayer money. Public inquiries now cost £200m+ annually as lawyers and firms profit from…
- Keywords: public inquiry, taxpayer money, lawyers, parliamentary, cost, inquiries, news, entertainment, Public, inquiry, gravy, train
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16213157/public-inquiry-gravy-train-63-launched-QUENTIN-LETTS.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-15T23:00:52+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: public inquiry, taxpayer money, lawyers, parliamentary, uk, cost, inquiries, news, entertainment
## Public inquiry gravy train
Public inquiries once rare and businesslike now number 63 launched in two decades.
## Lawyers profit from inquiries
Lawyers earn up to £250 an hour on public inquiries with some senior silks pocketing over £1 million.
## Document management platforms profit
Document-management platforms make a 'bandit’s packet' from public inquiries.
## Inquiries cost public money
The Afghanistan inquiry has cost £58 million so far with the Covid inquiry gobbled £200 million.
## Inquiries take time
The Afghanistan inquiry has been running for three and a half years with no end in sight.
## Inquiries delay lessons
Lessons from inquiries are rarely learned as officials move on to other roles.
## Inquiries cost £33m for one case
The Robert Hamill inquiry cost £33 million to investigate a 1997 death.
## Inquiries take longer
The 1983 Franks inquiry into the Falklands War took six months with negligible cost.
## Inquiries are more common
Since 2005, 63 public inquiries have been launched, a third more than in the previous 20 years.
## Inquiries have loose terms
Inquiries often have loose terms of reference with judges stretching them to their limit.
## Inquiries clog the system
Core participants can submit written material clogging the inquiry system.
## Inquiries delay justice
Alleged SAS war criminals face years of delay while inquiries run.
## Inquiries are a disgrace
One former Lord Chancellor has called public inquiries a total disgrace.
## Inquiries are politically motivated
Ministers use inquiries to avoid media scrutiny and delay accountability.
## Inquiries cost public money
Public inquiries cost £200m+ annually as lawyers and firms profit from taxpayer money.
## Inquiries have no end
The Afghanistan inquiry has been running for three and a half years with no end in sight.
## Key takeaway

Public inquiries now cost £200m+ annually as lawyers and firms profit from taxpayer money.