This idea was created by the Scrutinise team as a policy development prompt. It represents a live policy debate with substantial public evidence. Any registered user can contribute to it, and ownership can be transferred to any organisation or individual who wishes to champion it.
A Statutory UK Pandemic Preparedness Framework
The UK's pre-COVID pandemic preparedness framework proved inadequate in 2020. Post-COVID reforms have been incremental. This proposal creates a statutory framework with mandatory stockpile requirements, rehearsal obligations, and parliamentary oversight.
Summary
The UK's pre-COVID pandemic preparedness framework proved inadequate in 2020. Post-COVID reforms have been incremental. This proposal creates a statutory framework with mandatory stockpile requirements, rehearsal obligations, and parliamentary oversight.
Challenge (summary)
The UK entered COVID-19 without adequate PPE stockpiles, a functional surge testing capacity, or a rehearsed pandemic response plan. The 2016 Exercise Cygnus identified these gaps but its recommendations were not implemented.
Approach (summary)
A Pandemic Preparedness Act establishing statutory minimum stockpile levels, mandatory five-year rehearsal cycles, an independent Pandemic Preparedness Commissioner, and a reserve procurement framework that can be activated without new Treasury authority.
First step (summary)
Introduce primary legislation creating the Pandemic Preparedness Commissioner role with statutory powers, and require DHSC to publish a statutory Pandemic Preparedness Plan updated every three years.