Changelog · Recent updates

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Recent government responses and implementation updates across all tracked inquiries.

16 July 2026

39 updates

Recommendation	Type	Status	Inquiry	Detail
COVID-M1.1 Simplify Emergency Preparedness Structures	Update	In Progress	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	Cabinet was provided with a written update on risk, resilience, and preparedness in March 2026, and will continue to receive updates on a regular basis.
COVID-M1.4 UK-wide Civil Emergency Strategy	Update	Completed	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.
COVID-M1.6 Triennial Pandemic Exercises	Update	Completed	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.
COVID-M1.5 Pandemic Data Systems and Research	Update	Completed	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.
COVID-M1.7 Publish Exercise Reports and Lessons	Update	In Progress	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government and the UK Government are both undertaking analysis and evaluation of Exercise Pegasus. The findings from both reports will be published in late 2026.
COVID-M1.8 Triennial Parliamentary Resilience Reports	Update	Completed	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 12 January 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.
COVID-M1.10 Independent Statutory Resilience Body	Update	Completed	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.
COVID-M1.9 External Red Teams for Resilience	Update	In Progress	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government is working with NHS Highland to develop red team resources for use across the civil contingencies landscape.
COVID-M1.3 Improved Risk Assessment Approach	Update	Completed	COVID-19 Inquiry Scottish Government	The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.
CR7 IMO recommendation on triage tool	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Government agrees that the international sharing of best practice and knowledge is beneficial, including in the form of guidance where appropriate. The IMRF updated its Mass Rescue Operations Guidance
CR8 Survivability advice to persons in distress	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were reviewed and updated in May 2024, providing assurance that they align to internationally recognised requirements contained within the IMO’s IAMSAR Manual
CR6 Joint exercises on triage procedure	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 6: Those involved in maritime search and rescue should continue to undertake joint exercises on the application of the Mass Persons in the Water Triage procedure. All of those …
CR10 Equipment and techniques development	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG recognises the importance of liaising with SAR partners in the UK and abroad and will continue to do so. HMCG meets monthly with the RNLI and has bilateral meetings …
CR18 MAIB publication of implementation measures	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 18: The Marine Accident Investigation Branch should make publicly available on its website, as soon as possible after they are received, the details of implementation measures taken by
CR5 Mass Persons in Water Triage procedure	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	The Multiple Persons in Water Triage Tool developed by HMCG has been adopted by the RNLI and vessels that are contracted by Border Security Command (BSC). Following international consultation and …
CR14 MoU between Coastguard and Border Force	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 14: For so long as the current arrangements in relation to search and rescue in the English Channel remain in place, the roles and responsibilities of HM Coastguard and …
CR3 Regular assessment of assets and resources	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG recognises the importance of regular assessments and has the following operational measures in place for the review of assets: • SAR asset availability (surface vessels and aircraft) is assessed
CR9 Cold water survivability modelling	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG have carefully considered and confirmed it is using the most appropriate model for survivability in cold water. This is because it adheres to the internationally set guidance from the …
CR6 Joint exercises on triage procedure	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	All of those involved in maritime SAR recognise the importance and value of joint exercises on the recovery of multiple persons from the water. HMCG and BSC have participated in …
CR9 Cold water survivability modelling	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 9: HM Coastguard should examine whether it is using the most appropriate modelling for survivability in cold water. HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies to ensure that they
CR17 Protocol for duty to assist referrals	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 17: HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency should establish a protocol for referrals by HM Coastguard to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s regulatory compliance investi
CR1 Network flexing risk mitigation	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG recognises that whilst its national network does provide critical business resilience, small boat operations pose particular challenges due to the nature of multiple interconnected incidents. Sin
CR4 Training on normalcy bias	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG recognises the importance of specific training and retraining on small boats for its staff. Training was introduced in the summer of 2021 in recognition of the increasing numbers of …
CR12 Independent external oversight body	Response	Under Consideration	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and inform Government’s response to …
CR13 Reconsider Border Force SAR function	Response	Under Consideration	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and inform Government’s response to …
CR3 Regular assessment of assets and resources	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 3: There should be regular assessments by HM Coastguard of the adequacy of the available assets and human resources to respond to both current and reasonably foreseeable levels of …
CR10 Equipment and techniques development	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 10: HM Coastguard must continue to liaise with search and rescue partners in the UK and abroad to identify opportunities for the development or deployment of equipment and techniques …
CR4 Training on normalcy bias	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 4: HM Coastguard should provide frequent training and retraining for their staff in aspects of search and rescue specific to small boats, one being the need to avoid normalcy …
CR15 Joint training exercises plan	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 15: HM Coastguard should develop and implement a plan for joint training exercises, to occur at set intervals, with participation by those involved in maritime search and rescue in …
CR1 Network flexing risk mitigation	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 1: Given the risks associated with HM Coastguard’s use of network flexing for small boat search and rescue – whereby its workforce is split between different geographical locations – …
CR16 Mass rescue operation plan	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 16: HM Coastguard should develop a mass rescue operation plan that includes command and control, co-ordination, external stakeholders, medical and law enforcement roles, and public and
CR5 Mass Persons in Water Triage procedure	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 5: Those involved in maritime search and rescue should adopt formally the Mass Persons in the Water Triage procedure to govern the operational response to a maritime search and …
CR8 Survivability advice to persons in distress	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 8: HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies to incorporate the need to provide more comprehensive advice about survivability to people in distress at sea. HMCG Standard Operatin
CR11 Coastguard role in legislation	Response	Under Consideration	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and inform Government’s response to …
CR2 Technology for duplicate incident reconciliation	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry Department for Transport	Recommendation 2: HM Coastguard should seek, at pace, to invest in the technology required to support its ability to reconcile duplicate small boat incidents. Where this cannot be accommodated within
CR14 MoU between Coastguard and Border Force	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	The Department is working with HMCG and Border Security Command (within the Home Office) to put in place a memorandum of understanding setting out roles and responsibilities. An update will …
CR16 Mass rescue operation plan	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	HMCG refreshed its Mass Rescue Operations Plan in April 2026 (introduced in 2017 and previously amended in 2018 and 2021). It has been updated to ensure continued alignment with IAMSAR …
CR2 Technology for duplicate incident reconciliation	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	Duplicate incidents are those where multiple calls are received about the same boat and/or there are multiple boats in the channel simultaneously, creating a complex and unclear operational picture. T
CR15 Joint training exercises plan	Response	Accepted	Cranston Inquiry HM Coastguard	The most recent joint exercise involving all participants simultaneously was at Dover MRCC on 7 December 2023. Representatives from French Coast Guard and SNSM (the French lifeboat service) were prese

COVID-M1.1 Update

Simplify Emergency Preparedness Structures

In Progress COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

Cabinet was provided with a written update on risk, resilience, and preparedness in March 2026, and will continue to receive updates on a regular basis.

COVID-M1.4 Update

UK-wide Civil Emergency Strategy

Completed COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.

COVID-M1.6 Update

Triennial Pandemic Exercises

Completed COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.

COVID-M1.5 Update

Pandemic Data Systems and Research

Completed COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.

COVID-M1.7 Update

Publish Exercise Reports and Lessons

In Progress COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government and the UK Government are both undertaking analysis and evaluation of Exercise Pegasus. The findings from both reports will be published in late …

COVID-M1.8 Update

Triennial Parliamentary Resilience Reports

Completed COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 12 January 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.

COVID-M1.10 Update

Independent Statutory Resilience Body

Completed COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.

COVID-M1.9 Update

External Red Teams for Resilience

In Progress COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government is working with NHS Highland to develop red team resources for use across the civil contingencies landscape.

COVID-M1.3 Update

Improved Risk Assessment Approach

Completed COVID-19 Inquiry

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government wrote to the inquiry chair on 18 May 2026 to confirm that this recommendation has been delivered and closed.

CR7 Response

IMO recommendation on triage tool

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Government agrees that the international sharing of best practice and knowledge is beneficial, including in the form of guidance where appropriate. The IMRF updated its Mass …

CR8 Response

Survivability advice to persons in distress

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were reviewed and updated in May 2024, providing assurance that they align to internationally recognised requirements contained within the IMO’s IAMSAR …

CR6 Response

Joint exercises on triage procedure

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 6: Those involved in maritime search and rescue should continue to undertake joint exercises on the application of the Mass Persons in the Water Triage …

CR10 Response

Equipment and techniques development

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG recognises the importance of liaising with SAR partners in the UK and abroad and will continue to do so. HMCG meets monthly with the RNLI …

CR18 Response

MAIB publication of implementation measures

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 18: The Marine Accident Investigation Branch should make publicly available on its website, as soon as possible after they are received, the details of implementation …

CR5 Response

Mass Persons in Water Triage procedure

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

The Multiple Persons in Water Triage Tool developed by HMCG has been adopted by the RNLI and vessels that are contracted by Border Security Command (BSC). …

CR14 Response

MoU between Coastguard and Border Force

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 14: For so long as the current arrangements in relation to search and rescue in the English Channel remain in place, the roles and responsibilities …

CR3 Response

Regular assessment of assets and resources

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG recognises the importance of regular assessments and has the following operational measures in place for the review of assets: • SAR asset availability (surface vessels …

CR9 Response

Cold water survivability modelling

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG have carefully considered and confirmed it is using the most appropriate model for survivability in cold water. This is because it adheres to the internationally …

CR6 Response

Joint exercises on triage procedure

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

All of those involved in maritime SAR recognise the importance and value of joint exercises on the recovery of multiple persons from the water. HMCG and …

CR9 Response

Cold water survivability modelling

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 9: HM Coastguard should examine whether it is using the most appropriate modelling for survivability in cold water. HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies …

CR17 Response

Protocol for duty to assist referrals

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 17: HM Coastguard and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency should establish a protocol for referrals by HM Coastguard to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s regulatory …

CR1 Response

Network flexing risk mitigation

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG recognises that whilst its national network does provide critical business resilience, small boat operations pose particular challenges due to the nature of multiple interconnected incidents. …

CR4 Response

Training on normalcy bias

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG recognises the importance of specific training and retraining on small boats for its staff. Training was introduced in the summer of 2021 in recognition of …

CR12 Response

Independent external oversight body

Under Consideration Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and …

CR13 Response

Reconsider Border Force SAR function

Under Consideration Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and …

CR3 Response

Regular assessment of assets and resources

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 3: There should be regular assessments by HM Coastguard of the adequacy of the available assets and human resources to respond to both current and …

CR10 Response

Equipment and techniques development

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 10: HM Coastguard must continue to liaise with search and rescue partners in the UK and abroad to identify opportunities for the development or deployment …

CR4 Response

Training on normalcy bias

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 4: HM Coastguard should provide frequent training and retraining for their staff in aspects of search and rescue specific to small boats, one being the …

CR15 Response

Joint training exercises plan

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 15: HM Coastguard should develop and implement a plan for joint training exercises, to occur at set intervals, with participation by those involved in maritime …

CR1 Response

Network flexing risk mitigation

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 1: Given the risks associated with HM Coastguard’s use of network flexing for small boat search and rescue – whereby its workforce is split between …

CR16 Response

Mass rescue operation plan

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 16: HM Coastguard should develop a mass rescue operation plan that includes command and control, co-ordination, external stakeholders, medical and law enforcement roles, and public …

CR5 Response

Mass Persons in Water Triage procedure

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 5: Those involved in maritime search and rescue should adopt formally the Mass Persons in the Water Triage procedure to govern the operational response to …

CR8 Response

Survivability advice to persons in distress

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 8: HM Coastguard should amend its existing policies to incorporate the need to provide more comprehensive advice about survivability to people in distress at sea. …

CR11 Response

Coastguard role in legislation

Under Consideration Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

The Department is conducting a review of the MCA which will consider its functions, form, governance and performance. It will report to Ministers this year and …

CR2 Response

Technology for duplicate incident reconciliation

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

Department for Transport

Recommendation 2: HM Coastguard should seek, at pace, to invest in the technology required to support its ability to reconcile duplicate small boat incidents. Where this …

CR14 Response

MoU between Coastguard and Border Force

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

The Department is working with HMCG and Border Security Command (within the Home Office) to put in place a memorandum of understanding setting out roles and …

CR16 Response

Mass rescue operation plan

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

HMCG refreshed its Mass Rescue Operations Plan in April 2026 (introduced in 2017 and previously amended in 2018 and 2021). It has been updated to ensure …

CR2 Response

Technology for duplicate incident reconciliation

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

Duplicate incidents are those where multiple calls are received about the same boat and/or there are multiple boats in the channel simultaneously, creating a complex and …

CR15 Response

Joint training exercises plan

Accepted Cranston Inquiry

HM Coastguard

The most recent joint exercise involving all participants simultaneously was at Dover MRCC on 7 December 2023. Representatives from French Coast Guard and SNSM (the French …

14 July 2026

11 updates

Recommendation	Type	Status	Inquiry	Detail
COVID-M5.11 Data and Technology in Emergency Procurement	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.7 Trade and Industry in the Civil Emergency Strategy	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.10 Transparency, Governance and Accountability in Emergencies	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.8 Training in Emergency Procurement and Distribution	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.9 Commercial Framework for Emergency Procurement	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.4 Emergency Healthcare Equipment Regulations	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.5 Emergency Healthcare Equipment Plan	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.3 Emergency Procurement and Distribution Systems	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.1 Pandemic Stockpile Composition and Inspection	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.2 Pandemic Exercises to Include Emergency Procurement	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.
COVID-M5.6 Blueprints for Critical Care Medical Technology	Update	Awaiting Response	COVID-19 Inquiry	Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 5 report published 14 July 2026.

COVID-M5.11 Update

Data and Technology in Emergency Procurement