‘Alternative SAGE’ panel of experts accuses government advisers of deferring to ministers

Selectively lifting lockdown measures could lead to resentment and anger among left-behind groups, an ‘alternative SAGE’ panel of experts warned today. 

Boris Johnson is expected on Thursday to announce the UK’s lockdown has been renewed before using an address to the nation on Sunday to set out how he intends to ease restrictions. 

Decisions on the timing of the loosening of social distancing rules will be informed by advice provided by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). 

But SAGE is increasingly under fire not only over its approach to transparency but also over the advice it is providing. 

Sir David King, the former government chief scientific adviser, has set up his own ‘independent’ panel of experts – an ‘alternative SAGE’ – which met for the first time today via video call.

He said the group was necessary because he feared government experts are deferring to ministers and are not ‘speaking their minds’. 

During the meeting the new committee raised concerns about the prospect of selective lifting of restrictions amid fears some groups like the over-70s could be left isolated from the rest of the nation. 

It came as SAGE today finally bowed to growing pressure and published a partial list of its members. 

Susan Michie, professor of health psychology and director of the Centre for Behaviour Change at University College London, said there was a risk of the measures causing division.

She said the public’s adherence to restrictions had been surprising, but largely down to a collective solidarity.

Prof Michie said: ‘Going forward, in terms of lifting the lockdown it’s going to be a very different situation because in the lockdown similar measures were being carried out across the whole population, by and large.

‘But what we’re going to be seeing is different measures for different sections of the population and so this has the potential for undermining the collective solidarity that has been so important for trust, for adherence, for helping each other, and if it’s not handled well, risks potential division between groups, risks perceived inequality and injustice and unfairness, which can lead to resentment and anger and people getting alienated from the collective and what’s being asked of them.

‘Really a lot of thought needs to be given to how this is going to be managed and managed in such a way that all sections of the population are being looked after and their needs are being met.’

She added that if specific groups such as the over-70s are asked to stay in lockdown while others are not, the message would have to be much more ‘nuanced’.

Prof Michie also said the Government must ensure those who are forced to self-isolate, as a result of having contact with someone infected, have financial security.

Sir David’s new 12-strong committee of academics is keen to investigate seven key points, including how successful testing and tracing can be achieved, and what social distancing measures will be needed in future.

Sir David said he will share their findings and workings with the public by streaming meetings on YouTube. 

Sir David said his ‘independent’ SAGE panel was necessary because he feared government experts are deferring to ministers.

Asked if that meant they were not free to speak their minds, Sir David told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “I believe that’s the case, yes.

“I think there’s a very big difference between the situation today and the situation as it was in 2010-11, that is quite simply the permission to speak in the public domain has been changed.

“I think the main point I’m making is that an independent science advisory group really needs to be dominated by people whose income is not determined by the fact they are working for the Government.”