UK Covid-19 Inquiry - Module 1 report: Scottish Government response

10. Independent statutory body

Recommendation Ten – A UK-wide independent statutory body for whole-system civil emergency preparedness and resilience

Chair’s recommendation:

The UK Government should, in consultation with the devolved governments, create a statutory independent body for whole-system civil emergency preparedness and resilience.

The new body should be given responsibility for:

• Providing independent, strategic advice to the UK Government and devolved governments on their planning for, preparedness for and building resilience to whole-system civil emergencies
• Consulting with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector at a national and local level and directors of public health on the protection of vulnerable people in whole-system civil emergencies
• Assessing the state of planning for, preparedness for and resilience to whole system civil emergencies across the UK and
• Making recommendations on the capacity and capabilities that will be required to prepare for and build resilience to whole-system civil emergencies.

As an interim measure, the new body should be established on a non-statutory basis within 12 months of this Report, so that it may begin its work in advance of legislation being passed.

Scottish Government response:

The Scottish Government accepts this recommendation in principle. The Scottish Government supports the need for independent advice to support our action to prepare for whole system civil emergencies. We recognise that this recommendation is to be led by the UK Government, and we commit to working with the UK Government and the other devolved governments to identify an appropriate mechanism. Advice and challenge should be provided in a manner which respects the devolution settlement and does not duplicate the role of existing audit and assurance bodies.

Any new structures should have clear lines of accountability, and in particular should be cognisant of the devolved responsibilities of the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government will provide a further update in our response to the Chair of the Inquiry in July 2025, once further consultation has taken place.

Accountable Officer:

The Director General for Strategy and External Affairs, working with the Civil Contingencies Division within the Scottish Government, will be accountable for the implementation of this recommendation (to the extent that it applies to Scotland).

Implementation timescales:

• Dependent on further consideration of this recommendation by the UK Government and its consultation with the devolved governments.