Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the £48 million of new money for scientific innovation to prepare for any future health emergencies announced on 25 May, what health emergencies he expects this funding to cover.

The Government continues to plan and prepare for a range of pandemic and emerging infectious disease scenarios – including those caused by respiratory (influenza and non-influenza), contact and vector-borne pathogens – and building on lessons learned from exercises and incidents, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The £48m of funding announced on 25 May is one of several tools that the Government will use to ensure we have access to the necessary infrastructure, expertise, and capability to prevent and mitigate against future pandemics.