Scottish Government responds to UK Covid-19 Inquiry recommendations

Work underway to strengthen response to civil emergencies

Ministers will act on all recommendations relating to Scotland in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s report on pandemic resilience and preparedness of the United Kingdom, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced.

The Module 1 report contained ten recommendations for the four UK nations to improve civil emergency planning and response.

Speaking on publication of the Scottish Government’s formal response, the Deputy First Minister said work was already underway in a number of areas including pandemic planning, improving risk assessment processes and ensuring the availability of reliable health, economic and social data.

In addition a Ministerial Oversight Group, co-chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, will meet for the first time in the coming weeks to co-ordinate preparedness across Government.

Scotland will also play a full role in the largest ever UK wide pandemic response exercise this Autumn which will be designed to test and strengthen the UK’s preparedness for future pandemics.

Ms Forbes said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with all those who lost loved ones during the pandemic. And it is with those people firmly in mind that we will work to ensure Scotland is in the best possible position to prepare for, respond to and recover from future threats, including pandemics.

“In advance of, and in parallel to, the work of the Scottish and UK Covid-19 Inquiries, the Scottish Government has identified and actioned a number of improvements, including establishing an independent committee to provide expert advice on future pandemic risks and how best to prepare for them. We are also working with the other governments in the UK to deliver exercise plans for UK-wide civil emergencies.

“We know the pandemic greatly impacted the most vulnerable in society. As part of wider work to tackle inequalities, we will improve how we identify, assess and address the potential impacts of civil emergencies on those who need the most protection.

“We are also mindful of other potential emergencies  – not least the impact of extreme weather. We will work with counterparts across the four nations and a range of organisations to learn from past events and global best practice.”