Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Not Addressed
Paragraph: 57
Regarding the disclosure of Government officials observing SAGE meetings, we agree with the redaction of...
Recommendation
Regarding the disclosure of Government officials observing SAGE meetings, we agree with the redaction of information to protect the personal data of individuals including junior officials at the time of the emergency. In the interests of transparency, and to have a full picture of who is formulating policy advice to Government during the course of the pandemic, it is important that the identities of senior officials and political advisers attending SAGE meetings are made public. We also note that the minutes of previous SAGEs activated for other emergencies were eventually published with full disclosure of all participants and observers. In response to this Report, the Government should commit to the full disclosure of the following information on SAGE attendees and observers throughout the pandemic: (1) Civil servants at Senior Civil Service grade; 76 The UK response to covid-19: use of scientific advice (2) political and special advisers; and (3) the representative Government departments and job title of junior officials, in lieu of their names. Further, the Government should commit to the full disclosure of all individuals who attended SAGE meetings—and their affiliations—within three months of the current SAGE being stood down, or by the end of 2021, whichever is the earlier.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government response focuses on the Joint Biosecurity Centre's (JBC) publications, data, and the commitment to publish minutes and scope of its various boards, but it does not address the recommendation for full disclosure of SAGE attendees and observers.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
57
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
SAGE minutes published online already contain details of the Senior Civil Servants as well as special advisers present at meetings. Names of more junior observer government officials who attend the meetings are redacted. This is in line with long- 3 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage- coronavirus-covid-19-response-membership/list-of-participants-of-sage-and-related-sub-groups 4 See https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-sage-register-of-participants-interests standing data protection principles. The safety of civil servants and SAGE attendees will continue to be a priority. As stated above, the CO and GO-Science will, as part of the wider review of SAGE guidance in the future, consider where necessary the need for any revisions to this broad approach.
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