Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Not Addressed
We are satisfied that the science advice informing the Government has drawn upon some of...
Conclusion
We are satisfied that the science advice informing the Government has drawn upon some of the best expertise that the UK—and indeed the world—has to offer. We acknowledge the initial dominance of modelling expertise on SAGE and believe this is a fair reflection of the lack of data at the beginning of the pandemic. We also note comments from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care that SAGE expertise was broad enough and that advice from some disciplines—such as engineering—was given “quite separately”. We also appreciate that sub-groups and other advisory structures exist that may feed into Government decision-making, and that the composition of SAGE has evolved to incorporate a wider range of disciplines. (Paragraph 110) Application of science expertise
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response detailed its ongoing review of non-pharmaceutical interventions and social distancing rules, highlighting its collaboration with scientific advisers and consideration of international and devolved administration approaches in policy decisions. It did not directly address the committee's conclusion regarding the breadth and evolution of scientific expertise informing the government.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
Through SAGE and its sub-committees, the Government has drawn on advice from a wide and diverse pool of advisers from across the scientific community. This has included securing input from; environmental scientists; public health experts; behavioural and social scientists; epidemiologists; virologists; data scientists; immunologists; infectious disease clinicians; epidemiological modellers; doctors; genomic experts; anthropologists; psychologists; and therapeutics and vaccine experts. SAGE is also supported by a number of expert sub-groups and task and finish groups which bring to bear even wider relevant expertise on specific issues. Diversity of thought and expertise is important, and GO-Science has invested in establishing and developing links with a range of different sectors, and with the learned societies. These positive and constructive relationships and ways of working will be maintained and developed contributing to the future operations of SAGE as appropriate.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗