Articles tagged with: Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
Whitty: No.10 should have consulted scientists on Eat Out To Help Out
22 Nov 2023 Coronavirus
Whitty: No.10 should have consulted scientists on Eat Out To Help Out
Chief medical officer says he "firmly" told Downing Street it should have informed him and Patrick Vallance about the Covid policy
Covid Inquiry: Requests for science advice 'chaotic and poorly formulated'
13 Oct 2023 Coronavirus
Covid Inquiry: Requests for science advice 'chaotic and poorly formulated'
"The formulation of science commissioning from the centre got quite chaotic for quite some time," former GO-Science chief says
‘He may go down as the most influential chief scientific adviser we’ve had’: experts reflect on Patrick Vallance’s time in government
04 Apr 2023 Science & Engineering
‘He may go down as the most influential chief scientific adviser we’ve had’: experts reflect on Patrick Vallance’s time in government
As government chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance became a household name as the calm and rational presence at the daily Covid briefings. Beckie Smith takes a look at the man behind the TV screen
Treasury pushes for free Covid testing to be scrapped despite SAGE warnings
14 Feb 2022 Coronavirus
Treasury pushes for free Covid testing to be scrapped despite SAGE warnings
Removing tests could make it harder to take precautions and could disproportionately impact vulnerable people, experts say
Top scientist Jeremy Farrar quits SAGE, warning Covid is 'far from over'
03 Nov 2021 Coronavirus
Top scientist Jeremy Farrar quits SAGE, warning Covid is 'far from over'
Wellcome Trust director says experts have provided 'vital advice' under 'huge pressure'
SAGE meeting just once a month as Covid rates rise
20 Oct 2021 Communications
SAGE meeting just once a month as Covid rates rise
Source cites "lessened demand for science advice" for reduction in meetings
Covid exposed ‘major deficiencies in the machinery of government’, inquiry finds
12 Oct 2021 Coronavirus
Covid exposed ‘major deficiencies in the machinery of government’, inquiry finds
Initial pandemic response 'one of the UK's most important public health failures', MPs say
Ministers accused of 'ignoring own advisers' after rejecting SAGE call for 'circuit breaker' lockdown
13 Oct 2020 Coronavirus
Ministers accused of 'ignoring own advisers' after rejecting SAGE call for 'circuit breaker' lockdown
Scientific advisers called for "immediate action" on 21 September, minutes show
Ministers relied too much on SAGE for answers early in coronavirus outbreak, IfG finds
02 Sep 2020 Coronavirus
Ministers relied too much on SAGE for answers early in coronavirus outbreak, IfG finds
Poor strategy, arbitrary targets and a hope for scientific certainty hampered initial Covid-19 response
Government is listening to scientists on coronavirus response, Vallance says
18 Mar 2020 Coronavirus
Government is listening to scientists on coronavirus response, Vallance says

Ramping up testing now a priority for ‘data-driven’ strategy, chief scientist tells MPs
Facts and figures: meet government's chief scientific advisers
10 Dec 2018 Science & Engineering
Facts and figures: meet government's chief scientific advisers

Chief scientific advisers provide vital expertise to help departments make informed policy decisions – not least during national emergencies. But to be effective, they must also be experts in the workings of Whitehall. Beckie Smith spoke to CSAs past and present to discover how they combine these distinctive skills.