Epic National Pandemic Drill: Fortifying Our Future Against Health Crises

• Pandemic preparedness heightened with an unparalleled exercise across the government, emergency services, and regions and nations.
• Annually, over 4,000 resilience and emergency personnel will be instructed through the UK Resilience Academy.
• A new resource developed by the Cabinet Office and the Office for National Statistics aims to detect vulnerable populations requiring specific assistance.
• There will be a nationwide assessment of the Emergency Alert System.

The nation’s readiness for prospective pandemics will be escalated through the largest national response drill scheduled for this Autumn.

Government officials have also detailed strategies to better assist vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those in care, while training thousands of public officials to navigate various crises, including pandemics.

These initiatives are a direct response to the Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 1 report, which analyzed the UK’s resilience and readiness before the pandemic.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, The Rt Hon. Pat McFadden MP, remarked:

It is crucial that we derive lessons from the Covid pandemic, as repeating past errors is unacceptable. However, our planning will also acknowledge that the next emergency may differ from the previous one.

We concur with the Inquiry that further action is necessary and are introducing measures to ensure that we are optimally prepared for future pandemics.

These measures will enhance our resilience and readiness, contributing to the protection of our citizens.

The national pandemic drill represents the first of its kind in almost a decade and is poised to become the largest in UK history. It will evaluate the country’s capacities, strategies, protocols, and procedures in the event of another significant pandemic.

This exercise will be directed by senior ministers, involve thousands of participants, and span across all regions and nations of the UK. Invitations to participate have been extended to all government departments, local resilience forums, and the devolved governments, with the government advocating for unprecedented local involvement.

Set to occur on various days over several months in the Autumn, the government will share insights and lessons learned from this exercise as advised by the Covid-19 Inquiry.

Additionally, the government has pledged to bolster support for vulnerable groups, many of whom experienced disproportionate impacts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In support of this effort, the Cabinet Office has developed a Risk Vulnerability Tool in collaboration with the Office for National Statistics. This tool maps various risks faced by the UK and identifies areas with vulnerable populations potentially facing heightened impacts. Vulnerable groups are identified through data such as age, disability, and care receipt.

This government tool is designed for instant sharing across departments and with devolved governments. It aims to enhance the government’s insight into the locations of disproportionately affected groups before and during emergencies, allowing for targeted local support when necessary.

The Government’s third initiative includes training over 4,000 individuals in resilience and emergency roles annually through the UK Resilience Academy. This training, slated to commence in April, will equip practitioners to strategize for and manage a spectrum of crises, including pandemics. It will be informed by updated National Occupational Standards to ensure that personnel possess the requisite knowledge and skills for their responsibilities.

Furthermore, a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be conducted later in 2025. After being successfully deployed four times since its inception in 2023, this national test will verify the system’s operational capability should an emergency trigger its activation. Regular assessments will ensure the UK remains aligned with other countries that routinely evaluate similar systems.

The national test will yield significant operational insights for both central government and telecommunication partners, providing a chance to resolve any challenges before potential emergency deployment.

The precise date of the test will be announced in due time, and it is expected that every phone in the country—approximately 87 million devices—will receive a test alert akin to the previous assessment in April 2023. The test will be widely promoted in advance.

The Covid-19 Inquiry released its Module 1 report in July last year. The government supports the goals pursued by the Inquiry through its recommendations, and the response issued today outlines progress made and areas where further actions will be implemented.

Fulfilling our nation’s Missions, including establishing a National Health Service prepared for the future, will aid us in addressing the various risks we encounter. These Missions also depend on a robust foundational resilience system that must be upheld and enhanced.

ENDS