The role of
engineering advice and horizon-scanning are highlighted in the
updated Guidelines on the use of Scientific and Engineering Advice
within government, published today by Government Chief Scientific
Advisor (GCSA) Professor Sir John Beddington.
The Guidelines address how scientific and engineering advice
should be sought and applied to enable government policy makers to
make better informed decisions. This is the third update of the
guidelines and followed a public consultation.
The key messages are that departments, and policy makers within
them should:
· identify early the issues which need scientific and
engineering advice and where public engagement is appropriate;
· draw on a wide range of expert advice sources,
particularly when there is uncertainty;
· adopt an open and transparent approach to the
scientific advisory process and publish the evidence and analysis
as soon as possible;
· explain publicly the reasons for policy decisions,
particularly when the decision appears to be inconsistent with
scientific advice; and
· work collectively to ensure a joined-up approach
throughout government to integrating scientific and engineering
evidence and advice into policy making.
The updated guidelines reflect feedback from
consultation on the need to highlight:
· the role and importance of engineering advice;
· the benefits of horizon-scanning;
· the value of engaging with the scientific community's
representative bodies; and
· the importance of using international sources of advice.
Government Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Sir John Beddington said:
“Climate change, security, pressures on the supply of energy,
food and water, health and migration pose unprecedented and
inter-connected challenges to the world. Science and,
particularly, engineering are central to identifying,
understanding and addressing these challenges. These updated
guidelines ensure that policy makes have access to the
high-quality and robust evidence vital for informed
decision-making to tackle these challenges.”
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts MP said:
“Government decisions must be made on the basis of hard evidence
and high-quality scientific advice. Updating the guidelines will
make sure that scientific advice is robust, reliable and relevant
to the world we live in.”
Notes to editor
1. The Guidelines on the Use of Scientific and Engineering
Advice in Policy Making provide a high-level framework for
addressing the way in which government departments obtain and use
science and engineering advice. The Guidelines are available at:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/goscience/docs/g/10-669-gcsa-guidelines-scientific-engineering-advice-policy-making.pdf
2. The consultation of the Guidelines was held between 17
November 2009 and 9 February 2010. The Government response to the
consultation is available at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations/guidelines-on-scientific-analysis?cat=closedwithresponse
3. The Government Office for Science (GO-Science) is headed by
the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA), Professor Sir John
Beddington. It exists to ensure that Government policy and
decision-making is underpinned by robust science and engineering
and long-term thinking.
4. BIS' online newsroom contains the latest press
notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It
also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See
http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Contacts:
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Adrian Bradley
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