National Risk Register Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

National Risk Register

Lord Truscott Excerpts
Wednesday 3rd February 2021

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord True Portrait Lord True (Con)
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My Lords, the lead government department concerned with flooding is the major one that should respond on that. Any debate on flood risk in your Lordships’ House would benefit not only the Government but the nation.

Lord Truscott Portrait Lord Truscott (Ind Lab) [V]
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My Lords, the 2020 national risk register refers to planning to tackle Covid-19. It says that

“the UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy covers strategic planning, response and scientific evidence for many emerging infectious diseases.”

Is not one of the lessons of the pandemic that the level of planning—for flu only—was totally inadequate? Is it not the case that there was simply no government planning for a coronavirus pandemic?