Eighth Report - Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions
Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 803
15 March 2021
Government response
First Special Report - Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions: Government’s response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 25 May 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
20 results
3
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 34
Graphics used by Government, for example slide packs and briefings, should meet Government Statistical Service...
Recommendation
Graphics used by Government, for example slide packs and briefings, should meet Government Statistical Service good practice guidelines on data visualisation. They should always meet the accessibility regulations, which are now law.
Government Response Summary
The government states its commitment to transparency and will endeavor to publish all statistics and underlying data in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, but does not specifically commit to ensuring graphics meet data visualisation good practice or accessibility regulations.
5
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 45
When Ministers or senior officials quote statistics, the underlying data must be published.
Recommendation
When Ministers or senior officials quote statistics, the underlying data must be published. This is already an Office for Statistics Regulation expectation, and OSR should continue to inform this Committee—as it has throughout this inquiry—when it finds examples of statistics …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the roles of COBR and SAGE, along with principles for scientific advice. It does not address the recommendation that ministers must publish underlying data when quoting statistics or that OSR should inform the Committee of non-compliance.
7
Recommendation
Not Addressed
The Ministerial Code needs to be strengthened so it is clear that Ministers are required...
Recommendation
The Ministerial Code needs to be strengthened so it is clear that Ministers are required to abide by the UKSA Code of Practice in their presentation of data. The UKSA Code includes the principle of trustworthiness that builds “confidence in …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on how it addresses the recommendation to strengthen the Ministerial Code to ensure Ministers abide by the UKSA Code of Practice.
8
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 53
When SAGE advisors speak publicly about the advice they have given to Government it has...
Conclusion
When SAGE advisors speak publicly about the advice they have given to Government it has the potential to create confusion and undermine trust. This report calls for greater transparency, including on uncertainties, but there also needs to be clarity about …
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Government Response Summary
The government refers to a future independent inquiry starting in spring 2022 to learn lessons from COVID-19 and highlights past scrutiny, but does not address the concerns about SAGE advisors speaking publicly or public understanding of SAGE's role.
9
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 54
We are certainly not calling for SAGE advisors to be silenced, but for some expectations...
Recommendation
We are certainly not calling for SAGE advisors to be silenced, but for some expectations to be laid about the appropriate way to communicate considering, amongst other things, the potential for the politicisation of their commentary. Civil Servants advising Government …
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Government Response Summary
The government refers to a future independent inquiry starting in spring 2022 to learn lessons from COVID-19, and highlights past scrutiny, but does not address the specific call for a code of conduct or media guidance for SAGE advisors.
11
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Government communication needs to focus on informing the public openly and honestly.
Recommendation
Government communication needs to focus on informing the public openly and honestly. As we move into the next stage of the pandemic, the roadmap back to lifting restrictions entirely, this becomes even more pertinent. Previous recommendations cover clarity on source …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on how it addresses the recommendation for transparent and honest government communication, particularly regarding the roadmap.
13
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 97
The Cabinet Office must clearly outline responsibilities for decision making, before the Coronavirus Act is...
Recommendation
The Cabinet Office must clearly outline responsibilities for decision making, before the Coronavirus Act is considered for renewal after 25th March 2021. This must include Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions 49 clear lines of …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response is incomplete and then discusses the assessment of 'four tests' for moving through the roadmap, including the publication of data and modelling for Step 2. It does not address the recommendation for the Cabinet Office to clearly outline responsibilities and accountability for decision-making and data.
14
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 98
The Committee was very disappointed that when the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster declined...
Conclusion
The Committee was very disappointed that when the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster declined to appear before the Committee on 4th February, Ministers sent in his place were poorly briefed and unable to answer the Committee’s questions. The ability …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response details the roadmap, data publication, and press conferences, along with statistics on the public data dashboard. It completely fails to address the Committee's specific criticism regarding ministerial accountability and appearances.
15
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 99
This is not the first time that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has...
Conclusion
This is not the first time that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has tried to avoid his accountability to this Committee. He has sought to ration his appearances by refusing invitations and setting short time-limits when he does …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Chair on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
17
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 101
Written correspondence from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster throughout the course of this...
Conclusion
Written correspondence from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster throughout the course of this inquiry has not answered questions posed by this Committee.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights various publications and reviews, including the 'COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021' update, economic and social data in the roadmap, and released SAGE papers, as evidence of transparency, but does not address the committee's observation that the Chancellor has failed to answer questions.
18
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 102
The Government’s response to this report should state whether each recommendation is accepted or rejected...
Recommendation
The Government’s response to this report should state whether each recommendation is accepted or rejected and should state the next steps the Government will take or provide an explanation for those recommendations rejected. It is not sufficient for the Government …
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Government Response Summary
The government refers to a future independent inquiry starting in spring 2022 to learn lessons from COVID-19 and mentions past scrutiny, but does not address the recommendation on how it should structure its response to the committee's report.
19
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 129
The message from the evidence received to this inquiry is frustratingly clear.
Conclusion
The message from the evidence received to this inquiry is frustratingly clear. The Government knew the response would need to be localised and there were local systems in place to manage infectious diseases already (including statutory duties on Public Health …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on its stance regarding the Committee's observation about centralised data handling and officials refusing to share data locally.
20
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 130
Vital information which might have helped local leaders to respond quickly to outbreaks simply did...
Conclusion
Vital information which might have helped local leaders to respond quickly to outbreaks simply did not move quickly enough through the system. Central Government was initially unwilling to share granular data on the spread of the virus, systems were fragmented, …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care wrote to the Committee on March 24, 2021, providing the government's response to this item.
21
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 131
In May 2020, this Committee heard that local data would be key to the response,...
Conclusion
In May 2020, this Committee heard that local data would be key to the response, enabling local leaders to move quickly, stem small outbreaks and potentially 50 Government transparency and accountability during Covid 19: The data underpinning decisions stop a …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Committee on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
22
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 132
The Government must share all the available data with local areas in as much detail...
Recommendation
The Government must share all the available data with local areas in as much detail as possible, ideally to patient level. Data which will be key to decision making on the road map should be shared immediately, and ahead of …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response states a letter was sent to the Committee, but provides no details on how it addresses the recommendation to share data with local areas or publish a comprehensive list of available data.
27
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 146
This report is not considering the accuracy of decisions, but this Committee has serious concerns...
Recommendation
This report is not considering the accuracy of decisions, but this Committee has serious concerns about the lack of transparency and clarity in decision-making. The Cabinet Office must outline in its response to this report the range of data and …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Chair on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
29
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 174
The priority now must be a clear and consistent framework for making lockdown decisions as...
Recommendation
The priority now must be a clear and consistent framework for making lockdown decisions as a path back to normality is charted. The Committee, therefore, welcomes the roadmap. The Government should not make further changes to it, in terms of …
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Government Response Summary
The government reiterates that the roadmap includes four tests, with an assessment of Variants of Concern at test 4, to determine the safety of moving to the next step.
30
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 175
Lockdown decisions have been met with confusion because the data has been unclear.
Conclusion
Lockdown decisions have been met with confusion because the data has been unclear. Data was not initially available for local leaders to understand the tiering decisions and there were no adequate frameworks for escalation and de-escalation in place. While this …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster provided a response to this recommendation in a letter to the Chair on 24 March 2021, but does not provide the content of that response here.
32
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 177
The Government did not publish thresholds for tiering decisions which made it hard for local...
Recommendation
The Government did not publish thresholds for tiering decisions which made it hard for local authorities and businesses to plan. This must be changed for the future. The Committee does not believe including thresholds in the roadmap will cause perverse …
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair on 24 March 2021, setting out the government’s response, but the content regarding threshold publication is not provided.
33
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Para 178
The Government must publish thresholds aligned to the roadmap in ranges or using minimum requirements,...
Recommendation
The Government must publish thresholds aligned to the roadmap in ranges or using minimum requirements, and with appropriate caveats if needed. This should be done immediately with the information available before decisions are taken to take the first steps.
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Government Response Summary
The government stated that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster wrote to the Chair on 24 March 2021, setting out the government’s response, but the content regarding immediate threshold publication is not provided.