Devolved Nations SAGE Attendance

No formal response published by this government.

No formal response published by this government.

No formal response published by this government.

GO-Science has already made the required changes to address this recommendation. The three Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) of the devolved governments remain the primary representatives of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments at SAGE and will be invited from the outset of an emergency to observe. Participant status in SAGE will be extended subject to the nature of the emergency and the devolved government's role in the response. Additionally, individual CSAs may be invited to participate if they hold relevant subject matter expertise. The status as observer or participant will be decided by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) in consultation with the devolved government CSAs to ensure devolved government interests are properly considered.

In addition, for emergencies impacting public health, the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the devolved governments will be invited to attend SAGE if (as is likely for a health emergency where powers are devolved) there is legitimate devolved government interest in the response. Their status as participant or observer will depend on the nature of the emergency and will be a matter for the GCSA to decide with advice from the CMO England as the UK government's Chief Medical Adviser and co-chair of SAGE in health emergencies. Continuation of the regular meetings of the CMOs of the four nations, separately to SAGE, also provides further opportunity for collaboration between the four nations.

For emergencies impacting animal health, the Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) of the devolved governments will also be invited to attend SAGE, with their status as participant or observer depending on the nature of the emergency and will be a matter for the GCSA to decide.

Attendees from the devolved governments may also request that additional officials from their organisations observe SAGE meetings or nominate a suitable deputy to attend on their behalf, if there is a legitimate reason to do so. As Chair of SAGE, the GCSA will have final approval of all attendees, ensuring that access to SAGE does not overwhelm its attendance.

This approach ensures that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are represented at SAGE, and prioritises scientific and technical expertise that will produce the most relevant and high-quality advice for decision-makers during an emergency. In advance of an emergency, nominations of experts from across the four nations would also be welcomed, as part of the work to maintain a register of experts for SAGE (see recommendation 3).

GO-Science has already made the required changes to address this recommendation. The three Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs) of the devolved governments remain the primary representatives of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments at SAGE and will be invited from the outset of an emergency to observe. Participant status in SAGE will be extended subject to the nature of the emergency and the devolved government's role in the response. Additionally, individual CSAs may be invited to participate if they hold relevant subject matter expertise. The status as observer or participant will be decided by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) in consultation with the devolved government CSAs to ensure devolved government interests are properly considered.

In addition, for emergencies impacting public health, the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the devolved governments will be invited to attend SAGE if (as is likely for a health emergency where powers are devolved) there is legitimate devolved government interest in the response. Their status as participant or observer will depend on the nature of the emergency and will be a matter for the GCSA to decide with advice from the CMO England as the UK government's Chief Medical Adviser and co-chair of SAGE in health emergencies. Continuation of the regular meetings of the CMOs of the four nations, separately to SAGE, also provides further opportunity for collaboration between the four nations.

For emergencies impacting animal health, the Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) of the devolved governments will also be invited to attend SAGE, with their status as participant or observer depending on the nature of the emergency and will be a matter for the GCSA to decide.

Attendees from the devolved governments may also request that additional officials from their organisations observe SAGE meetings or nominate a suitable deputy to attend on their behalf, if there is a legitimate reason to do so. As Chair of SAGE, the GCSA will have final approval of all attendees, ensuring that access to SAGE does not overwhelm its attendance.

This approach ensures that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are represented at SAGE, and prioritises scientific and technical expertise that will produce the most relevant and high-quality advice for decision-makers during an emergency. In advance of an emergency, nominations of experts from across the four nations would also be welcomed, as part of the work to maintain a register of experts for SAGE (see recommendation 3).