The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has, reportedly, been stood down in a sign that the Government believes the worst of the Covid crisis is over.  Although the group “stands ready if required”, it will no longer meet regularly – the first time it has halted its ongoing response since January 2020.

The decision was taken after the Government acknowledged that Britain has entered a new phase of its response and followed the lifting of all remaining legal restrictions in England under Downing Street’s Living With Covid plan.

The devolved nations have their own scientific advisory groups and are emerging from the pandemic on slightly different timelines.