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
2
Recommendation
Deferred
The Cabinet Office and Government Office for Science should update SAGE guidance to set out...
Recommendation
The Cabinet Office and Government Office for Science should update SAGE guidance to set out the role that SAGE will play in advising the Government’s long-term management of emergency scenarios. (Paragraph 34) Activation and operation of SAGE
Government Response Summary
The government stated that responsibility for long-term emergency management sits with lead departments and SAGE is used case-by-case. It committed to learning from the Covid-19 response regarding how scientific advice can inform long-term emergency management, but did not explicitly commit to updating SAGE guidance to set out its specific role.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View Details →
7
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 56
Whilst we welcome the eventual disclosure of SAGE participants, the fact that the delay was...
Recommendation
Whilst we welcome the eventual disclosure of SAGE participants, the fact that the delay was attributed to advice from the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) gives us cause for concern. As suggested by Professor Chris Whitty, the …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states it will consider necessary revisions to SAGE guidance as part of a wider future review, but does not commit to updating the guidance within three months to stipulate timeframes for receiving CPNI advice regarding public disclosure of SAGE participants.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
View Details →