Sage members ‘should be appointed by parliament’

MP and economist argue advisory group’s membership leaves it too narrow and closed to dissent

The UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has “a narrow and unbalanced view”, due to how it is organised and appoints its members, an MP and an economist have claimed.

Conservative MP Steve Baker, and Roger Koppl, professor of finance at Syracuse University in the United States, said that instead of seeking a scientific consensus among Sage members appointed by its co-chairs, the group should present ministers with a range of opposing scientific advice and have its members appointed by parliament.