Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Second Report - Covid-Status Certification
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 42
Published 12 June 2021
Government response
Second Special Report - Covid-Status Certification: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report · published 9 Sep 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 7
It is clear that the idea of certificates has been under consideration within government for...
Conclusion
It is clear that the idea of certificates has been under consideration within government for at least six months. Ministers and officials have given conflicting statements on the possibility of certification being introduced as a measure, and on the extent …
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Government Response Summary
The government responds by committing to appropriate parliamentary scrutiny for certification's wider application and states that the legislative approach will be set out in due course, but does not address the committee's concern about past conflicting statements and damage to public trust.
4
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 26
It is highly regrettable that the Government has not, despite committing to do so, provided...
Recommendation
It is highly regrettable that the Government has not, despite committing to do so, provided the Committee with likely financial costs to the public purse or to businesses and individuals of different models of Covid-status certification. Full costings must be …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the cost of certification varies by model and, based on ERP trials, analysis showed a significantly better revenue impact for organisations compared to other interventions, but does not provide full costings.
8
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 46
While the Government has not set out the locations, events and venues which would be...
Conclusion
While the Government has not set out the locations, events and venues which would be included in a Covid-status certification system, it did provide some indications that certification might be used for venues such as nightclubs, large events like football …
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Government Response Summary
The government states its plan to require full vaccination for entry to nightclubs and other crowded venues by the end of September, with more details on settings to follow, but does not address the committee's concern about arbitrary venue selection.
13
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 73
We have strong concerns about the data protection risks that are involved in establishing a...
Recommendation
We have strong concerns about the data protection risks that are involved in establishing a Covid-status certification system. Again, given that the Government have not established a clear scientific case, nor a good overriding public interest Covid-Status Certification 33 case, …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the certification review and the decision to encourage rather than mandate the NHS COVID Pass, but it does not address the committee's specific request to publish a Data Protection Impact Assessment.
14
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 74
While it may not be the Government’s intention for the potential introduction of Covid-status certificates...
Recommendation
While it may not be the Government’s intention for the potential introduction of Covid-status certificates to be a route to introducing ID cards into the UK, there are clear similarities and legitimate concerns that this could occur. Parliament should be …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the certification review and the decision to encourage rather than mandate the NHS COVID Pass, but it does not address the committee's concern about a potential link to ID cards or the recommendation for Parliament to consider this.