We recommended in our reports on the Department’s 2020–21 and 2021–22 Annual Reports and Accounts that the Department should develop a clear plan for a stockpile for a future pandemic. In response to our report on the 2021–22 Annual Report and Accounts, in September 2023 the Department told us that it was working closely with SCCL on the necessary volumes of PPE that were needed to provide resilience to future pandemics and was preparing advice on both short-term procurements and longer-term ...

We recommended in our reports on the Department’s 2020–21 and 2021–22 Annual Reports and Accounts that the Department should develop a clear plan for a stockpile for a future pandemic. In response to our report on the 2021–22 Annual Report and Accounts, in September 2023 the Department told us that it was working closely with SCCL on the necessary volumes of PPE that were needed to provide resilience to future pandemics and was preparing advice on both short-term procurements and longer-term resilience. It committed to continuing to refine its approach over time based on the latest information available.48 When we asked for an update the Depa Type: conclusion | Number: 27 | Response status: accepted Government response: 5.9 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2025 5.10 The department has replenished pandemic preparedness PPE stockpiles using excess stock originally procured for the COVID-19 pandemic where possible and appropri