COVID Inquiries Response Engagement Group (CIREG): terms of reference

Purpose

The engagement group will support the Scottish Government’s work in responding to recommendations from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s Module 2 Report, published in November 2025. Members are drawn from representatives of groups disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and some of those groups further from government decision-making so that those views can be taken into account by the Scottish Government in developing the response to recommendations. 

This group will be chaired by the Deputy First Minister and will exist for an initial six month period from publication of the report to the Scottish Government response to the recommendations. 

This group will not replace any ongoing engagement which already takes place between stakeholders and other policy areas across the Scottish Government, but is designed to widen the views taken into account in responding to the Inquiry’s recommendations. Use will be made of existing groups and networks. 

This group is advisory, not decision-making. It is not required to reach consensus, and individuals will continue to hold their own views. Its role is to provide insights and challenge to inform the Scottish Government’s response. Members represent organisations and communities but cannot speak for every individual within those communities.

Principles for engagement

The group agrees to work together in a transparent and inclusive way, showing mutual respect, acknowledging diverse experiences and expertise, and providing a safe space to challenge and develop our thinking.

If members have feedback on the application of these principles, they can share this with the Secretariat. 

Strategic outcomes

• the Scottish Government responds appropriately to recommendations made by the Inquiries, including any interim or emerging findings, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement
• the Scottish Government listens carefully to the feedback of the Engagement Group ensuring this transparent approach helps to shape the response to the recommendations
• the Scottish Government demonstrates that it is open to scrutiny and accountable for the decisions and actions it took during the pandemic

Members are asked to:

• attend and contribute to discussions that support the development of response to inquiry recommendations
• provide support, challenge and guidance to the development of the response to recommendations, ensuring interests of member groups are fully represented

Membership

A full membership list is available.

Scottish Government policy officials may attend as observers.

The Secretariat function will be provided by Covid Inquiries Response Directorate (CIRD), who will commission updates from policy areas for recommendations in advance of each meeting.

Organisation

The Scottish Government will be required to respond to the report within six months. The first meeting of the group will be held shortly after publication of the Module 2 report, in December 2025. 

The group will meet three times within the six month period; after the report is published, midway through the period, and before the final response is issued. The Chair may convene additional meetings as deemed necessary. Suggestions for additional formats may be agreed by group members to ensure effective engagement in line with these terms of reference.

An agenda and meeting papers will be circulated at least seven days prior to each meeting. A summary minute will be produced after each meeting and circulated to all members. This ToR and agreed summary minutes of meetings will be published on gov.scot.

Information access and sharing

Information shared with members should be treated as sensitive and not for onward distribution to any non-member organisation, unless prior permission in writing has been sought from the Chair and Secretariat. Any inputs shared with members for discussion will be considered confidential and not for further sharing to any non-member organisation, without written permission from its author.  

Members may wish to share information within the organisation they represent for the purpose of gathering a consensus of views. This should be agreed in advance with the Secretariat.