Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 114
114
Accepted in Part
Dr Horton expressed concerns about the evidence base that SAGE in its early meetings drew...
Conclusion
Dr Horton expressed concerns about the evidence base that SAGE in its early meetings drew upon. Referring to scientists in East Asia, Dr Horton told the Science and Technology Committee: If I had been Chair of SAGE, I would have wanted to go to those scientists on the frontline saying, “Please come and tell us your experience. What is coming for us in the UK? Why are you sending this warning signal?” because it is not there in the SAGE evidence.178 Local lockdowns: the tier system
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.
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