Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the (a) scientific and (b) medical advice he has received in respect of families meeting over the Christmas period.

Throughout this crisis, senior medical and scientific advisors have provided robust scientific evidence and advice to guide decisions regarding the measures taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has also undertaken significant wider analysis and evaluation to inform decisions. This includes consideration of the Christmas period.

The measures taken have been effective at slowing the virus while balancing the need to protect the economy. Ahead of what will be a challenging winter, the Government will continue to take swift action to combat the spread of the virus.

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies will continue to publish minutes from its meetings and the supporting scientific papers on GOV.UK, as has been the case since the start of the pandemic.