Advisory Group Terms of Appointment
The Government Office for Science (GO-Science), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Department of Health (Northern Ireland) should each develop standard terms of appointment for all participants in scientific advisory groups. These terms should include: clarity around the nature of an individual's role and the extent of their responsibility, as well as the likely time commitment; payment where their time commitment means that they have to spend time away from their substantive role; access to support services; and access to advice on personal and online security, with procedures for escalating specific concerns.
- GO-Science committed to reviewing and updating terms, conditions and support for participants by 2027.
- The response states GO-Science will develop guidance on compensation for participants whose time commitment results in significant absence from substantive roles.
- The 2027 deadline has not yet passed; no updated terms have been published.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedGO-Science already provides support to SAGE participants before, during and after any SAGE activation. All SAGE participants receive a guidance document outlining their roles, responsibilities and the support available to them when they are invited to join the SAGE register of experts or to participate in a SAGE meeting. This includes details of the SAGE wellbeing services and direction on how to access them. It also sets out protocols and key principles for media engagement and detailed advice on personal and online security.
GO-Science will review and update the terms, conditions and support for participants by 2027 to ensure they have access to clear, comprehensive and up-to-date information in all the areas listed in the recommendation. As part of this, GO-Science will also develop guidance on when compensation may be applicable for universities, other institutions and private companies whose staff contribute extensively to SAGE during extended activations, resulting in significant time away from their substantive roles. Any compensation mechanism must be transparent and designed to uphold the integrity and independence of SAGE.
No formal response published by this government.
No formal response published by this government.
No formal response published by this government.
GO-Science already provides support to SAGE participants before, during and after any SAGE activation. All SAGE participants receive a guidance document outlining their roles, responsibilities and the support available to them when they are invited to join the SAGE register of experts or to participate in a SAGE meeting. This includes details of the SAGE wellbeing services and direction on how to access them. It also sets out protocols and key principles for media engagement and detailed advice on personal and online security.
GO-Science will review and update the terms, conditions and support for participants by 2027 to ensure they have access to clear, comprehensive and up-to-date information in all the areas listed in the recommendation. As part of this, GO-Science will also develop guidance on when compensation may be applicable for universities, other institutions and private companies whose staff contribute extensively to SAGE during extended activations, resulting in significant time away from their substantive roles. Any compensation mechanism must be transparent and designed to uphold the integrity and independence of SAGE.
Progress Timeline
Status: Pending. No government response yet received. Module 2 report published 20 November 2025.