The United Kingdom is set to bolster its preparedness for future pandemics by hosting the largest national response exercise in history this Autumn.
This unprecedented initiative comes as part of a series of measures outlined by ministers in response to the Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 1 report, which scrutinised the UK's resilience and readiness prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This upcoming national pandemic exercise, the first of its kind in nearly a decade, aims to rigorously test the UK's capabilities, plans, protocols, and procedures in the face of a potential major pandemic. The exercise will be led by senior ministers and will involve thousands of participants from all regions and nations of the UK. It will span several months and take place on various days throughout the Autumn.
All government departments, local resilience forums, and devolved governments have been invited to participate, with the government urging significant local-level involvement. The findings and lessons learned from this exercise will be communicated, following recommendations from the Covid-19 Inquiry.
Recognising the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those receiving care, the government has announced plans to provide enhanced support. The Cabinet Office, in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics, has developed a Risk Vulnerability Tool. This tool creates a comprehensive map of the UK, identifying areas where vulnerable groups may face heightened risks during crises. It will enable targeted local support and improve the government's understanding and response to these groups before and during emergencies.
Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
“We must learn lessons from the Covid pandemic as we cannot afford to make the same mistakes again. But we will plan in a way that recognises the next crisis may not be the same as the last.
“We agree with the Inquiry that more needs to be done and are announcing measures to make sure that we are as prepared as possible for future pandemics.
“These changes will improve our resilience and preparedness and help to safeguard our citizens.”
The government is also committed to strengthening its workforce's crisis management capabilities. Over 4,000 individuals will be trained annually in resilience and emergency roles through the UK Resilience Academy. Starting in April, this training will help practitioners effectively plan for and manage various crises, including pandemics. The curriculum will be based on revised National Occupational Standards to ensure practitioners have the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their roles.
To ensure the country's emergency communication infrastructure remains robust, the government plans to conduct a national test of the Emergency Alert System later in 2025. Although the system has been successfully deployed four times since its launch in 2023, this national test will assess its functionality and provide valuable operational insights for central government and telecommunication partners. Approximately 87 million devices across the country will receive a test message, and the test will be widely advertised in advance.
The government's comprehensive response to the Covid-19 Inquiry's recommendations demonstrates a strong commitment to improving national resilience and preparedness. By conducting the largest-ever pandemic response exercise, enhancing support for vulnerable groups, and training thousands in emergency roles, the UK is taking significant steps to safeguard its population against future crises.
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