Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Paragraph: 93
The concept of the Joint Biosecurity Centre has been broadly welcomed by the witnesses we...
Conclusion
The concept of the Joint Biosecurity Centre has been broadly welcomed by the witnesses we heard from, particularly the opportunity for the sharing and development of data sets. However, some questions around the role of the Centre remain, particularly how the devolved nations will feed in.
Paragraph Reference:
93
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
It is because viruses have no regard for jurisdictional boundaries that the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) was established to operate across the UK - we all need to work together at this time to protect the health and jobs of people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The JBC aims to provide evidence-based objective analysis, assessment, and advice to inform local and national decision- making in response to COVID-19 outbreaks. The JBC uses the diverse expertise and tradecraft of its staff to analyse both health and non-health data, and to offer a unique perspective on the developing situation with regard to COVID-19. Since the Committee’s interim report, the UK and Scottish Governments agreed to promote the necessary secondary legislation in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments so that the JBC can carry out functions in Scotland. The legislation has been made under the Scotland Act 1998, and was coordinated by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland. The actual agency agreement, which gives legal effect to the political agreement