Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 106
106
Accepted in Part
Professor Chris Whitty noted that he preferred advice to be given on the basis of...
Conclusion
Professor Chris Whitty noted that he preferred advice to be given on the basis of observed data, telling the Science and Technology Committee in November 2020: “It is important to say that a lot of the advice that I have given is not based on significant forward modelling. It is based on what is happening and what is observable.”166
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states that future policy development should involve greater questioning and challenge from Ministers, taking a more robust approach. It commits that the government and SAGE should facilitate strong external and structured challenge to scientific advice from diverse disciplines and international experts.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
In future an approach of greater questioning and challenge should characterise the development of policy. Ministers should have the confidence to follow a scientific approach themselves—being prepared to take a more robust approach to questioning and challenging the advice given. The government and SAGE should also facilitate strong external and structured challenge to scientific advice, including from experts in countries around the world, and a wider range of disciplines.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗