Government Scheme Criticized for Neglecting Scientific Advice Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme, launched by Chancellor Sunak during the COVID-19 pandemic, is facing criticism for its impact on the spread of the virus and its lack of involvement of scientists in decision-making.

The president of the British Medical Association, Prof Martin McKee, has criticized the "dysfunctional" way the government, including the Treasury under Sunak, overlooked scientific advice throughout the pandemic.

Prof John Edmunds of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who was a member of the Sage committee of advisers to ministers, has criticized the scheme as "spectacularly stupid" and an "obscene way to spend public money." The president of the British Medical Association, Prof Martin McKee, also criticizes the "dysfunctional" way in which the government, including the Treasury under Sunak, overlooked scientific advice throughout the pandemic.

The government spokesperson defends the scheme, saying it had a positive effect on the economy and jobs, but there is no clear evidence that it helped to reduce the virus.

The UK government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was criticized by experts for ignoring scientific advice and leading to a poor response.

The decision to impose a mini-lockdown in September 2020 was opposed by Johnson and Sunak, who later tried to discredit a government inquiry investigating the matter.

The former Labour Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer accused the government of trying to discredit the inquiry.