Defence contribution to the UK’s pandemic response

Defence Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 12 May 2020 Closed: 9 Jul 2021 Parliament page
This inquiry will focus on the Ministry of Defence’s and the Armed Forces’ contribution to the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will: assess the MoD’s planning and preparedness for a pandemic understand how the Armed Forces have supported civilian authorities during the pandemic evaluate the effectiveness of the … Read more
7 Recommendations
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
1 Letter
2 Events
Activity timeline 5 events
9 Jul
2021
Report published
25 Mar
2021
Report published
24 Nov
2020
Oral evidence
14 Jul
2020
Oral evidence
12 May
2020
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
24 Nov 2020
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Panel 1
Anthony McGee · Ministry of Defence Major General Charles Stickland CB OBE · Ministry of Defence Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP · Ministry of Defence
14 Jul 2020
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Bruce Mann CB · UK Emergency Planning College Dr Jennifer Cole · Royal Holloway University of London Professor David Alexander · University College London (UCL)
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Sixth Report: Manpower or mindset: Defence’s contribution to the… HC 357 25 Mar 2021 7 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
5 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report: Manpower or mindset:…
Civilian agencies will inevitably require assistance in a crisis of this scale and there should...
Civilian agencies will inevitably require assistance in a crisis of this scale and there should be no stigma in seeking help from the Armed Forces. However, it is clear that preparations for a non-man-made threat such as an infectious disease … Read more
Government Response
The government states that existing processes like Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA) identify non-Defence solutions and that liaison officers facilitate cross-Government communication to manage requests for assistance.
Ministry of Defence
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4 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report: Manpower or mindset:…
We believe earlier use could have been made of Defence’s unique capabilities and skills, notably...
We believe earlier use could have been made of Defence’s unique capabilities and skills, notably in the areas of strategic planning and crisis management. We are surprised that lessons from earlier crises were not learnt and that as a result … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation and states it continues to work closely with various government bodies to ensure Defence's unique capabilities are understood and effectively utilised.
Ministry of Defence
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report: Manpower or mindset:…
As the UK emerges from the pandemic, and in light of the UN Secretary General’s...
As the UK emerges from the pandemic, and in light of the UN Secretary General’s words that “in an interconnected world, none of us is safe until all of us are safe”, the Armed Forces may also have an important … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Defence has already been extensively supporting vaccine distribution and administration in the UK and Overseas Territories, and will work with FCDO on logistical support for other countries if surplus supplies become available.
Ministry of Defence
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report: Manpower or mindset:…
We encourage the Department to publish the outcome of its Lessons Summit to enable the...
We encourage the Department to publish the outcome of its Lessons Summit to enable the learning from this experience to be promulgated as widely as possible. Defence must ensure that it evaluates its own response to the pandemic, while contributing … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is committed to evaluating its pandemic response, has begun a formal lessons identification process, and will work with cross-government partners and support future reviews, aligning with ongoing efforts.
Ministry of Defence
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7 Recommendation Accepted
Sixth Report: Manpower or mindset:…
In addition to delaying the publication of the Integrated Review, it seems inevitable that the...
In addition to delaying the publication of the Integrated Review, it seems inevitable that the pandemic must also influence its conclusions. Coronavirus has highlighted serious deficiencies in the UK’s domestic resilience in the face of an anticipated threat. We have … Read more
Government Response
The government states the Integrated Review has considered the pandemic's impact and commits to improving Defence's capabilities and contingency planning for future crises through regular exercises and additional work on Reserve Forces.
Ministry of Defence
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Government Response AI assessment · 7 of 7 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 1
Not Addressed 1
Total 7 recs
Correspondence 1 letter
12 May 2020 To committee Letter, dated 12 May 2020, from Secretary of State for Defence in relation to use of Citriodiol by UK Armed Forces, with original letter from the Chair attached
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