Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) Guidance

SAGE Guidance (PDF)

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Effective emergency management and informed decision-making relies upon Ministers having access to the best available advice in a timely fashion. To ensure the full range of issues are considered advice needs to stem from a range of disciplines, including the scientific, technical advice. This guidance focuses on the coordination of scientific and technical advice to inform strategic UK cross-government decision making during the emergency response and recovery phases.

The UK's emergency management framework includes structures for coordinating scientific and technical advice during emergency response and recovery. At the UK level the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is responsible for coordinating and peer reviewing, as far as possible, scientific and technical advice to inform decision-making. At the local level Scientific and Technical Advisory Cells (STACs) provide advice to local Strategic Coordinating Groups (SCGs) and/or Recovery Coordinating Groups (RCGs) which respond to the local consequences and manage local recovery efforts.

This December 2024 version is not a substantive update; it includes factual amendments, terminology corrections and some additional detail only. A full review of the SAGE guidance will be carried out and a further update published after the relevant Covid-19 Inquiry modules end.