Strategic Co-ordinating Group within two hours
The Home Office should consider the introduction of a national standard requiring a meeting of the Strategic Co-ordinating Group to take place no more than two hours after the declaration of a Major Incident where more than one emergency service is engaged in the response to that incident.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to implement improvements. The response committed to reviewing interoperability arrangements between emergency services and strengthening joint training and exercising protocols for major incidents.
Progress Timeline
Revised Civil contingencies Guidance - The requirement for revising this approved professional practice (APP) was agreed upon in 2022. This review is now complete, and the updated guidance was launched to forces in April 2024. As the new Command and Control approved professional practice (APP) (recommendation 58) continues to be developed, this may result in further updates to the Civil Contingencies guidance to ensure both are aligned. This work strand is now complete and will be submitted for closure via NPCC governance in December 2024.
Revised Civil contingencies Guidance - The requirement for revising this approved professional practice (APP) was agreed upon in 2022. This review is now complete, and the updated guidance was launched to forces in April 2024. As the new Command and Control approved professional practice (APP) (recommendation 58) continues to be developed, this may result in further updates to the Civil Contingencies guidance to ensure both are aligned. This work strand is now complete and will be submitted for closure via NPCC governance in December 2024.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Government published formal Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations dashboard on GOV.UK (14 November 2025) tracking all 149 recommendations with implementation progress updates.
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent 3 April 2025. Creates two tiers: Standard Duty (200-799 capacity) and Enhanced Duty (800+). SIA will be regulator. Not yet in force -- at least 24 months before enforcement (expected April 2027).
JESIP Joint Doctrine updated to v3.1 (April 2024) following inquiry findings on interoperability failures. Operation Plato reformed to cover all terrorist attack types, not just firearms. Emphasis extended beyond command-level to frontline responders.
NPCC, Counter Terrorism Policing and College of Policing provided comprehensive updates to Sir John Saunders demonstrating "continued drive to improve collective response to terrorist incidents."
View detailed findings
Representatives working with UK Intelligence Community to address closed Volume Three recommendations. Cross-government monitoring ongoing.