Strengthening AWERBs, commission timeline: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible)
Published 30 September 2026
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Dr Sally Robinson, Chair of the Animals in Science Committee
5th Floor
2 Ruskin Square
Broad Green
Croydon
CR0 2WF
Email: asc.secretariat@homeoffice.gov.uk
23 September 2026
Dear Lord Hanson,
Animals in Science Committee: Strengthening AWERBs commission timeline
In January 2025, the Home Office commissioned the ASC to provide advice on the Named Information Officer. Following your agreement, the scope was extended to examine the effectiveness of all statutory Named Roles required under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The ASC is nearing completion of this work and remains confident that it will deliver its final advice by the original deadline of 30 September 2026.
The other element of the original commission concerns measures to strengthen the effectiveness of Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs). Given the breadth and complexity of this work, the ASC has undertaken extensive evidence gathering and analysis to inform its advice. This has included circulating a call for evidence directly to AWERB Chairs, interviewing AWERB Hub Chairs, and publishing a wider call for evidence on the ASC website.
Although drafting of the final report is under way, the volume of evidence received through this evidence gathering requires further careful consideration to ensure that the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations are robust and well supported. I therefore propose a revised deadline of 29 January 2027 for submission of the final report.
I hope that the revised timescale will enable the ASC to provide the Home Office with thorough and high-quality advice. I would be grateful for your agreement to the proposed extension. Should you wish to discuss it further, I would be pleased to meet with you or your officials.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee