Recommendations & Conclusions
20 items
3
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
Graphics used by Government, for example slide packs and briefings, should meet Government Statistical Service good practice guidelines on data visualisation. They should always meet the accessibility regulations, which are now law.
Government response AI summary
The government states its commitment to transparency and will endeavor to publish all statistics and underlying data in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, but does not specifically commit to ensuring graphics meet data visualisation good practice or accessibility regulations.
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5
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
When Ministers or senior officials quote statistics, the underlying data must be published. This is already an Office for Statistics Regulation expectation, and OSR should continue to inform this Committee—as it has throughout this inquiry—when it finds examples of statistics that are quoted without published data to back them up.
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When Ministers or senior officials quote statistics, the underlying data must be published. This is already an Office for Statistics Regulation expectation, and OSR should continue to inform this Committee—as it has throughout this inquiry—when it finds examples of statistics that are quoted without published data to back them up.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses the roles of COBR and SAGE, along with principles for scientific advice. It does not address the recommendation that ministers must publish underlying data when quoting statistics or that OSR should inform the Committee of non-compliance.
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7
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Ministerial Code needs to be strengthened so it is clear that Ministers are required to abide by the UKSA Code of Practice in their presentation of data. The UKSA Code includes the principle of trustworthiness that builds “confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data”. Abiding …
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The Ministerial Code needs to be strengthened so it is clear that Ministers are required to abide by the UKSA Code of Practice in their presentation of data. The UKSA Code includes the principle of trustworthiness that builds “confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and data”. Abiding by the UKSA Code of Practice is a statutory requirement for Government Departments. It is simply not enough to ask Ministers to be “mindful” of the UKSA code. (Paragraph 47) 48 Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions
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Government response AI summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on how it addresses the recommendation to strengthen the Ministerial Code to ensure Ministers abide by the UKSA Code of Practice.
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8
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
When SAGE advisors speak publicly about the advice they have given to Government it has the potential to create confusion and undermine trust. This report calls for greater transparency, including on uncertainties, but there also needs to be clarity about what has underpinned Government decisions. SAGE is made transparent through …
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When SAGE advisors speak publicly about the advice they have given to Government it has the potential to create confusion and undermine trust. This report calls for greater transparency, including on uncertainties, but there also needs to be clarity about what has underpinned Government decisions. SAGE is made transparent through the official records of discussions and advice published, and it is important that this is not framed or politicised by individual advisors. SAGE members, and experts from other bodies, can play a role in informing the public. However, as it stands, the public is not well informed about the role of SAGE advisors and might not be aware that differences of opinion are an inherent (even encouraged) element of discussion in that forum.
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Government response AI summary
The government refers to a future independent inquiry starting in spring 2022 to learn lessons from COVID-19 and highlights past scrutiny, but does not address the concerns about SAGE advisors speaking publicly or public understanding of SAGE's role.
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9
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
We are certainly not calling for SAGE advisors to be silenced, but for some expectations to be laid about the appropriate way to communicate considering, amongst other things, the potential for the politicisation of their commentary. Civil Servants advising Government are expected to abide by a code of conduct, and …
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We are certainly not calling for SAGE advisors to be silenced, but for some expectations to be laid about the appropriate way to communicate considering, amongst other things, the potential for the politicisation of their commentary. Civil Servants advising Government are expected to abide by a code of conduct, and there should be a similar code for SAGE advisors. The SAGE secretariat should produce guidance for members on how to engage with the media, in line with the 2012 Cabinet Office Guidance. This should not be overly restrictive as to prevent individual advisors from undertaking their normal work or from outlining the capacity in which they advised SAGE if required. This should be made public.
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Government response AI summary
The government refers to a future independent inquiry starting in spring 2022 to learn lessons from COVID-19, and highlights past scrutiny, but does not address the specific call for a code of conduct or media guidance for SAGE advisors.
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11
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
Government communication needs to focus on informing the public openly and honestly. As we move into the next stage of the pandemic, the roadmap back to lifting restrictions entirely, this becomes even more pertinent. Previous recommendations cover clarity on source information, and adherence to the UKSA Code of Practice. (Paragraph …
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Government communication needs to focus on informing the public openly and honestly. As we move into the next stage of the pandemic, the roadmap back to lifting restrictions entirely, this becomes even more pertinent. Previous recommendations cover clarity on source information, and adherence to the UKSA Code of Practice. (Paragraph 82) Decision making
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Government response AI summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on how it addresses the recommendation for transparent and honest government communication, particularly regarding the roadmap.
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13
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Cabinet Office must clearly outline responsibilities for decision making, before the Coronavirus Act is considered for renewal after 25th March 2021. This must include Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions 49 clear lines of accountability at Departmental and Ministerial level, stating which Minister is …
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The Cabinet Office must clearly outline responsibilities for decision making, before the Coronavirus Act is considered for renewal after 25th March 2021. This must include Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions 49 clear lines of accountability at Departmental and Ministerial level, stating which Minister is accountable to Parliament for ensuring key decisions are underpinned by data, and for the data that underpins the decisions.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response is incomplete and then discusses the assessment of 'four tests' for moving through the roadmap, including the publication of data and modelling for Step 2. It does not address the recommendation for the Cabinet Office to clearly outline responsibilities and accountability for …
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14
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Committee was very disappointed that when the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster declined to appear before the Committee on 4th February, Ministers sent in his place were poorly briefed and unable to answer the Committee’s questions. The ability of Select Committees to hold Ministers to account for decisions …
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The Committee was very disappointed that when the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster declined to appear before the Committee on 4th February, Ministers sent in his place were poorly briefed and unable to answer the Committee’s questions. The ability of Select Committees to hold Ministers to account for decisions is a vital part of the democratic process. This is particularly true at a time when the country is facing the toughest possible restrictions on our freedoms, and when (as we have previously reported on) detailed scrutiny of the Government’s decisions has not always been possible in the timeframes required. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster’s refusal to attend this Committee and account for decisions made by the taskforce he chairs is contemptuous of Parliament.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response details the roadmap, data publication, and press conferences, along with statistics on the public data dashboard. It completely fails to address the Committee's specific criticism regarding ministerial accountability and appearances.
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15
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
This is not the first time that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has tried to avoid his accountability to this Committee. He has sought to ration his appearances by refusing invitations and setting short time-limits when he does appear. It is remarkable to note that the Prime Minister …
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This is not the first time that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has tried to avoid his accountability to this Committee. He has sought to ration his appearances by refusing invitations and setting short time-limits when he does appear. It is remarkable to note that the Prime Minister has spent more than an hour longer in front of the Liaison Committee in this session than Mr Gove has spent with his departmental select committee.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Chair on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
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17
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
Written correspondence from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster throughout the course of this inquiry has not answered questions posed by this Committee.
Government response AI summary
The government highlights various publications and reviews, including the 'COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021' update, economic and social data in the roadmap, and released SAGE papers, as evidence of transparency, but does not address the committee's observation that the Chancellor has failed to answer questions.
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18
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Government’s response to this report should state whether each recommendation is accepted or rejected and should state the next steps the Government will take or provide an explanation for those recommendations rejected. It is not sufficient for the Government to “note” a recommendation, as they have done in the …
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The Government’s response to this report should state whether each recommendation is accepted or rejected and should state the next steps the Government will take or provide an explanation for those recommendations rejected. It is not sufficient for the Government to “note” a recommendation, as they have done in the past.
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Government response AI summary
The government refers to a future independent inquiry starting in spring 2022 to learn lessons from COVID-19 and mentions past scrutiny, but does not address the recommendation on how it should structure its response to the committee's report.
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19
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The message from the evidence received to this inquiry is frustratingly clear. The Government knew the response would need to be localised and there were local systems in place to manage infectious diseases already (including statutory duties on Public Health Officials) but, instead of allowing local systems to kick into …
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The message from the evidence received to this inquiry is frustratingly clear. The Government knew the response would need to be localised and there were local systems in place to manage infectious diseases already (including statutory duties on Public Health Officials) but, instead of allowing local systems to kick into gear, we got spreadsheets from Whitehall and officials refusing to share data.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on its stance regarding the Committee's observation about centralised data handling and officials refusing to share data locally.
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20
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
Vital information which might have helped local leaders to respond quickly to outbreaks simply did not move quickly enough through the system. Central Government was initially unwilling to share granular data on the spread of the virus, systems were fragmented, and new testing systems were set up outside of the …
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Vital information which might have helped local leaders to respond quickly to outbreaks simply did not move quickly enough through the system. Central Government was initially unwilling to share granular data on the spread of the virus, systems were fragmented, and new testing systems were set up outside of the existing systems, causing further delays.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care wrote to the Committee on March 24, 2021, providing the government's response to this item.
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21
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
In May 2020, this Committee heard that local data would be key to the response, enabling local leaders to move quickly, stem small outbreaks and potentially 50 Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions stop a second wave in its tracks. It is impossible to know …
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In May 2020, this Committee heard that local data would be key to the response, enabling local leaders to move quickly, stem small outbreaks and potentially 50 Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions stop a second wave in its tracks. It is impossible to know whether more granular data moving more quickly would have prevented any of the outbreaks that led to the lockdown of whole cities and regions from June 2020 onwards, or even have prevented further national waves.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Committee on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
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22
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Government must share all the available data with local areas in as much detail as possible, ideally to patient level. Data which will be key to decision making on the road map should be shared immediately, and ahead of the potential renewal of the Coronavirus Act. The Government should …
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The Government must share all the available data with local areas in as much detail as possible, ideally to patient level. Data which will be key to decision making on the road map should be shared immediately, and ahead of the potential renewal of the Coronavirus Act. The Government should publish a comprehensive list of all data that is available and at what level.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on how it addresses the recommendation to share data with local areas or publish a comprehensive list of available data.
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27
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
This report is not considering the accuracy of decisions, but this Committee has serious concerns about the lack of transparency and clarity in decision-making. The Cabinet Office must outline in its response to this report the range of data and information it will use to lift current and future lockdowns.
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This report is not considering the accuracy of decisions, but this Committee has serious concerns about the lack of transparency and clarity in decision-making. The Cabinet Office must outline in its response to this report the range of data and information it will use to lift current and future lockdowns.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Chair on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
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29
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The priority now must be a clear and consistent framework for making lockdown decisions as a path back to normality is charted. The Committee, therefore, welcomes the roadmap. The Government should not make further changes to it, in terms of setting new tests or boundaries. It is concerning that the …
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The priority now must be a clear and consistent framework for making lockdown decisions as a path back to normality is charted. The Committee, therefore, welcomes the roadmap. The Government should not make further changes to it, in terms of setting new tests or boundaries. It is concerning that the roadmap does not appear to contain any guidance for moving back into lockdown in the event of a new variant or other unexpected turn of events, even though the Government has taken the stance that this should be the last lockdown.
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Government response AI summary
The government reiterates that the roadmap includes four tests, with an assessment of Variants of Concern at test 4, to determine the safety of moving to the next step.
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30
Conclusion
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
Lockdown decisions have been met with confusion because the data has been unclear. Data was not initially available for local leaders to understand the tiering decisions and there were no adequate frameworks for escalation and de-escalation in place. While this data has improved, gaps remain.
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Lockdown decisions have been met with confusion because the data has been unclear. Data was not initially available for local leaders to understand the tiering decisions and there were no adequate frameworks for escalation and de-escalation in place. While this data has improved, gaps remain.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Chair on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
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32
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Government did not publish thresholds for tiering decisions which made it hard for local authorities and businesses to plan. This must be changed for the future. The Committee does not believe including thresholds in the roadmap will cause perverse outcomes (as James Bowler suggested in his evidence). It is, …
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The Government did not publish thresholds for tiering decisions which made it hard for local authorities and businesses to plan. This must be changed for the future. The Committee does not believe including thresholds in the roadmap will cause perverse outcomes (as James Bowler suggested in his evidence). It is, of course, possible that England progresses quickly against some indicators and more slowly against others, in which case the Government would need to make a judgement on whether to move to the next step on the roadmap. Increased transparency created by clear thresholds will increase public trust and confidence.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair on 24 March 2021, setting out the government’s response, but the content regarding threshold publication is not provided.
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33
Recommendation
Eighth Report - Government transparency…
Not Addressed
The Government must publish thresholds aligned to the roadmap in ranges or using minimum requirements, and with appropriate caveats if needed. This should be done immediately with the information available before decisions are taken to take the first steps.
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The Government must publish thresholds aligned to the roadmap in ranges or using minimum requirements, and with appropriate caveats if needed. This should be done immediately with the information available before decisions are taken to take the first steps.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair on 24 March 2021, setting out the government’s response, but the content regarding immediate threshold publication is not provided.
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