Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bethell on 3 June (HL4782), what assessment they have made of the research referenced in the original question; and what assessment they have made of the impact a cycle of a 50-day lock down followed by a 30-day relaxation would have on (1) the UK’s COVID-19 infection rate, and (2) the UK’s public finances.

No specific assessment has been made of the research by Dr Rajiv Chowdhury et al. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has reviewed and considered papers that look at the concept of, and different thresholds for, reimplementing lockdown. SAGE provides Ministers and officials with evidence-based scientific advice in emergencies based on a range of sources.

As stated in my previous answer of 3 June, we have published the statements and the accompanying evidence to demonstrate how our understanding of COVID-19 has continued to evolve as new data emerges. At all times, we have been consistently guided by scientific and medical advice.