Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 107
107
Accepted
Yet despite this, throughout the pandemic, detailed modelled projections have assumed a great prominence and...
Conclusion
Yet despite this, throughout the pandemic, detailed modelled projections have assumed a great prominence and have evidently had great influence on Government decisions. Indeed, the publication of the Imperial study of 16 March, is often cited as one of the main triggers for the abandonment of the initial policy of flattening the peak of covid, and its replacement with the one of suppression, in line with many other countries.167 Assumptions about behavioural compliance
Government response summary AI-generated
The government accepts that future policy development should be characterised by greater questioning and challenge, urging Ministers to robustly scrutinise advice and for the government and SAGE to facilitate strong external challenge to scientific advice.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
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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