Events Research Programme

Friday 26th November 2021 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Ms Nadine Dorries)]

The Government have published today the final reports from the science-led events research programme.

The events research programme has gathered evidence on the risks associated with events-related transmission routes of the covid-19 virus, characteristics of events and surrounding activities, and the extent to which mitigation measures could be effectively implemented and address these risks.

The events research programme was commissioned by the Prime Minister in February 2021 as part of the Government’s road map out of lockdown. The programme consisted of three phases. Between April and July a total of 31 pilot events were conducted in England across a range of settings and sectors, with over two million participants involved in the programme. The programme used an innovative and collaborative approach involving leading university research teams, independent scientific and ethics advisers working in partnership with multiple Government Departments and agencies, national and local public health leads, events industry stakeholders and 27 local authorities.

The findings of the events research programme have already been instrumental to inform both Government and industry on how to conduct events safely, and this publication further strengthens the evidence base already generated by the events research programme.

Full copies of these findings can be found on gov.uk. and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

[HCWS426]