Correspondence: Chair of Science and Technology Select Committee calls for publication of scientific evidence behind 10pm curfew

• Correspondence: Chair to Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regarding science advice behind COVID-19 measures
• Correspondence: Chair to Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, regarding science advice behind COVID-19 measures
• Science and Technology Committee

In separate letters to Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP and Sir Patrick Vallance, the Committee calls for the publication of the scientific advice which informed the Government’s decision to implement measures which prohibit pubs and restaurants from opening between the hours of 10pm and 5am. Specifically, the Chair asks whether the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) provided the Government with evidence regarding how the new curfews would have an impact on virus transmission.

The correspondence follows previous letters to Sir Patrick and to Prime Minister Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, both of which called for greater transparency regarding science advice to Government informing the policy decisions taken to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chair's comment

Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, said:

"It is important that the Government is transparent about the scientific advice that it draws on to inform policy decisions so that the reasons for them can be seen and understood. Science proceeds through openness and robust scrutiny and it is important that this approach is followed by the Government during the pandemic."

Further information

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