Data Transparency and Accountability: Covid-19

Nicola Richards Excerpts

Thursday 18th March 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Wragg]

I thank the hon. Lady for her assiduous work as a member of the Committee and her significant input to this particular inquiry.

In answer to her question, I suspect that the overriding concern for some in Whitehall and NHS England was that the ideas were not necessarily invented by them, and they were therefore mistrustful of them. It is vital that existing local expertise and infrastructure should be called on to the fullest amount—more than it has been in recent times.

[Nicola Richards (West Bromwich East) (Con) [V]]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his Committee’s report, which has an emphasis on the availability of data to the public, and highlights the confusion caused when the specific data underpinning decisions is not easily available online. The Government have done very well on this in the last few months, but does he agree that, further to making this data readily available, honesty about the uncertainty contained in the data is key to maintaining public trust?

[Mr Wragg]

My hon. Friend highlights an important point of our report, which is the need to be clear, open and honest about uncertainties. We can all be guilty of wishing to have answers to every single question—perhaps like me at the moment—but in being able to express uncertainty and show that candour, public trust is enhanced.