Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
First Report - The UK response to covid-19: use of scientific advice
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
HC 136
Published 8 January 2021
Government response
Government Response to the Science and Technology Committee report: The UK Response to Covid-19: Use of Scientific Advice · published 14 May 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
12
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 87
It has been made clear to us that policy decisions throughout the coronavirus pandemic have...
Recommendation
It has been made clear to us that policy decisions throughout the coronavirus pandemic have not been based solely on medical and epidemiological science, but rather have been developed with a wide range of inputs that include scientific research and …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it will work to evolve SAGE guidance on transparency and points to existing publications and data sources that provide information on the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19, including metrics used for policy decisions, and commits to future investment in data and analytics.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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23
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 141
The Government should: explain clearly the justification for taking a relatively centralised approach to test,...
Recommendation
The Government should: explain clearly the justification for taking a relatively centralised approach to test, trace and isolate; set out its assessment of the impact of the system on the spread of the virus since the outset, including on health …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains its rationale for an integrated national and local Test and Trace system, detailing how it works with local partners and its intention to combine approaches. However, it does not provide an assessment of the system's impact on virus spread or health outcomes, commit to a specific review of the local-national balance including value for money, or explain the unusual organisational relationship with DHSC.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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