Letter from the Chair of the Animals in Science Committee to Lord Hanson (accessible)
Published 8 October 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
1 October 2026
Dear Lord Hanson,
Animals in Science Committee – Strengthening the Effective Functioning of Named Persons
In January 2025, the Home Office commissioned the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) to provide advice on the Named Information Officer (NIO). Following your agreement in June 2025, this was subsequently extended to consider the effectiveness of all statutory Named Roles required under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). I am pleased to enclose the advice of the ASC following this review.
The report summarises the findings of the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) Subgroup’s review, which drew upon evidence gathered through a call issued to Named Persons and a review of the relevant literature. The ASC have reviewed and discussed the Subgroup’s report and ratified it.
The report includes eleven recommendations. These focus on the support provided to Named Persons by establishments, including access to training, protected time and resources, effective communication, and the governance arrangements necessary to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
A central finding of this review is that many of the factors influencing the effectiveness of Named Persons are cultural within the establishment. The ASC considers that establishments should foster a culture of continuous improvement in which Named Persons are recognised as valued sources of expertise and are supported to contribute fully and effectively to the delivery of animal welfare and scientific quality.
In summary, the ASC recommends that establishments strengthen the support, recognition and integration of Named Persons within local governance structures, supported by visible leadership from the Establishment Licence Holder, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies and senior management.
The ASC also recommends that project licence holders and applicants engage with Named Roles at an early stage to maximise opportunities to implement the 3Rs. While many establishments already demonstrate good practice, the review identified variation in the support, resource and recognition afforded to Named Persons across the sector. The ASC therefore recommends greater consistency in implementation and suggests the Regulator’s primary role in relation to these recommendations will be to provide proportionate assurance, through audit and oversight, that the recommendations are implemented effectively, using its training framework to address identified training needs.
The ASC would like to thank your officials for their assistance during this review. We would also like to extend our thanks to the many Named Persons, and organisations who contributed evidence and expertise to inform this report.
We look forward to working with the Home Office and stakeholders across the animals in science sector to support the implementation of these recommendations and strengthen the effective functioning of Named Persons.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Sally Robinson
Chair of the Animals in Science Committee