The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons has been closed, with its advisory role transferred to a Home Office body, according to a written parliamentary answer.
Responding to a question from Green Party MP Siân Berry, defence minister Luke Pollard said the decision forms part of a wider review of government arm’s length bodies. He stated that “the Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of the entire Arm’s Length Body landscape”, describing it as a core element of efforts to create a more agile state.
Pollard said that the closure of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons, known as SACMILL, had already been agreed and implemented. He told Parliament that “the closure of the Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less Lethal Weapons is an important step in Defence’s ALB reform journey”.
According to the minister, the decision was approved through a ministerial write-round and formally announced on GOV.UK on 30 November 2025. Pollard did not give a date for publication of the outcome or recommendations of the review originally referenced in earlier parliamentary questions.
Instead, he confirmed that responsibility for providing independent medical advice on the use of less-lethal weapons has moved outside the Ministry of Defence. Pollard said that “the provision of independent medical advice on the use of less lethal weapons will now be delivered by MILLWEC, as established by the Home Office”.
Just what exactly is this supposed to achieve, and how will this ensure that those on the front-line are fully equipped to survive this type of weapon – or is this just a cost-saving trick ?
Do you not like cost saving?
Exactly what were they considering? Being attacked by someone with a wet lettuce leaf might affect the mental well-being of everyone invoived?
I wonder how long this thing had been running?
I also don’t think that this will convince anyone that they are on a war footing (lethal or otherwise).
Lol.
To be fair, Non Lethal Weapons have been around for decades, such as Microwaves, mind control, weather altering, sound weapons, and on and on.
The Soviets were hitting the Moscow embassy of the US in the 80s and apparently the US was using them at Waco.
In the UK, a family in Kent was bombarded with something in the 80s as well.
Sort of makes sense that the Home Office, so the Police, deal with this
Otherwise, agree. Knowing this lot, it was probably a high priority.