The government does not accept this recommendation. The government disagrees with the assessment that COBR was not well-suited to the modern demands of a pandemic response, and notes that there were inaccuracies and misunderstandings about COBR in some of the evidence provided to the Committees. The government also considers that the report misrepresents the COBR culture of confidentiality. COBR is the government’s cross-departmental crisis management facility. It is used to coordinate the government’s response to a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and pandemics. COBR meetings are chaired by a senior minister, and they are attended by senior officials from across government, as well as representatives from the emergency services, the military, and other relevant organisations. The purpose of COBR meetings is to: ● Share information about the emergency. ● Coordinate the government’s response. ● Make decisions about the allocation of resources. ● Communicate with the public. COBR meetings are confidential because they often discuss sensitive information, such as intelligence reports and military plans. This confidentiality is essential to ensure that the government can respond effectively to emergencies. The government is committed to ensuring that COBR continues to be an effective crisis management facility. The Cabinet Office is constantly reviewing the way that COBR operates to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The government considers that COBR played a vital role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COBR meetings were held regularly throughout the pandemic, and they were instrumental in coordinating the government’s response. The government is grateful to all those who have been involved in COBR meetings during the pandemic. Their work has been essential in protecting the public and saving lives.