The UK’s preparation for future pandemics will be stepped up by the largest ever national response exercise, due to be held in the Autumn of 2025.
The national pandemic exercise is the first of its kind in nearly a decade and is ‘set to be the biggest in UK history’ according to the Government. It will test the country’s capabilities, plans, protocols, and procedures in the event of another major pandemic.
The exercise is part of the Government’s response to the Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 1 report, which examined the resilience and preparedness of the UK prior to the pandemic.
“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,” said Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Rt Hon. Pat McFadden MP.
The national pandemic exercise will be led by senior ministers, involve thousands of participants, and run across all regions and nations of the UK. All government departments, local resilience forums, and the devolved governments have been invited to participate, and the government is encouraging the most significant involvement ever at a local level.
The exercise is due to take place on different days over the Autumn.
The Government will communicate findings and lessons from this exercise as recommended by the Covid-19 Inquiry.
