Memorandum 28
Submission from SSC Science Cluster
SUMMARY
— The rationale for the creation of
a separate Science Department would need to be clear, with strong
evidence of added benefits.— Government should use the
expertise and contacts within Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) when
developing science policy. This would boost employer involvement
and "ownership" of policy in this key economic area.— Taking
a regional approach to science policy fits with our experience
of effective support for science companies.
— Sector Skills Councils involved in
science have come together to form a "cluster" which
could provide ongoing information and communication on aspects
of government policy affecting science companies.
THE SSC SCIENCE
CLUSTER
1. Semta has established an SSC Science
Cluster between those Sector Skills Councils representing companies
with a key interest in science. This Cluster had its first meeting
in October 2009. The Cluster will provide a mechanism to improve
communication and present a coherent message on those issues in
science common to such companies. It will also enable the SSCs
to share expertise and experience in areas such as Labour Market
Information, higher education, schools engagement, and workforce
development, to benefit companies across science and science-related
industries. The Cluster currently includes Semta, Improve Ltd,
Skills for Justice, Skills for Health, Energy & Utility Skills,
Lantra, Proskills, Cogent, and ConstructionSkills.
2. This group of SSCs is committed to supporting
the vast range of scientific technical and professional skills
which are needed to put the UK at the forefront of the global
knowledge economy.
Does the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Science and
Innovation and the Council for Science and Technology put science
and engineering at the heart of policy-making?
3. Cabinet Sub-Committee papers and meetings
are confidential, so it is difficult to establish its specific
impact on policy-making.
4. The Council for Science and Technology produces
interesting work and publications, but could engage more often
with other stakeholders, such as Sector Skills Councils.
Should there be a Department for Science?
5. Before recommending the creation of new
department, there are several aspects which should be considered.
The Machinery of Government changes in July 2007 undoubtedly
caused some fragmentation, and we are concerned that more change
might be disruptive. Individuals and organisations find ways
to work with the existing circumstances, so changing the current
setup would inevitably cause disruption to these relationships.
6. In addition, Lord Drayson (Minister for Science
and Technology) already attends Cabinet, so the creation of a
new department would not necessarily improve representation in
terms of national policy and decision-making, although it might
raise the profile of science within Cabinet.
7. It is also important that "science"
is understood to play its part in the infrastructure of society,
from the economy, to education, energy, health and transport.
There is a danger that creating a separate department would remove
experts from these other departments and concentrate them into
a single entity, which lacked influence in other departments.
8. In summary, the benefits of creating
a separate science department are not clear, as the implication
is that science would be "extracted" and isolated from
the breadth of policy-making. Although the creation of a Department
for Science might send an important message about the British
government's commitment to science, it would require a strong
rationale and clear key deliverables which improve on the current
situation.
How does Government formulate science and engineering
policy (strengths and weaknesses of the current system)?
9. This government created Sector Skills
Councils but does not use them and their resources as much as
they could. SSCs provide both information in terms of research,
and direct links to groups of employers. In some cases, the government
appears not to utilise research which it has tasked SSCs to provide
(for example the Sector Skills Agreements) and instead periodically
asks the same questions. For example, DIUS' current investigation
into STEM skills supply and demand did not utilise the SSAs until
a late stage in the process.
10. SSCs can also provide links to and fora for
employers who are interested and engaged with skills issues in
their sectors. As the "voice" of companies in our sectors
on skills, we can provide both information on employer views,
and direct access to companies. We can provide insight into the
skill needs of science and science-related companies, their frustrations
and successes in recruiting and retaining the right people. Through
our employer engagement activities, we gather a great deal of
information from companies on their requirements and any shortfalls.
We can therefore advise policy-makers on potential impacts in
our sectors. We already contribute through consultations responses,
ministerial briefings, joint working with departments, etc, but
this process could be improved through earlier communication,
and more effective feedback.
11. In formulating wider national policy,
government often seems to prefer a "one-size-fits-all"
approach, which can leave science companies questioning its relevance.
For example, the funding for skills available through Train to
Gain, prior to the new Sector Compacts, limited the continuity
of economically viable skills across further education to higher
education. The current system has led to a dislocation in policy
and provision of employer-facing science provision between FE
and HE, particularly when compared to the provision available
to other sectors. The skills funding policy prior to the recently
announced flexibilities also took little account of the need for
science skills at higher (technical and professional) levels.
Are the views of the science and engineering community
central to the formulation of government policy?
12. We would summarise the attitude of government
to the needs of the science sector as "receptive" but
sometimes lacking in specific action to address concerns.
13. In the devolved administrations, the experience
is reflected in the comments made previously. In Scotland, our
experience has been that the Scottish government is supportive
of science, but could use the SSC network more effectively in
its decision-making and policy formation. However, the Scottish
government has made additional commitment to science sectors in
areas such as life science apprenticeships, which suggest it has
a strong understanding of the particular needs of the sector,
and is responsive to these needs.
Should the views of the science and engineering
community be central to the formulation of government policy?
14. As representative organisations for
employers, the SSCs in the Science Cluster are convinced of the
value of employer engagement in the formulation of government
policy. The importance of skills in science to the fabric and
infrastructure of a modern advanced economy cannot be overstated.
The progression of new science research and development into
economically valuable skills and high value-added products will
provide UK plc with a proper place in the global knowledge economy.
The supply of and demand for science skills enables UK plc to
grow its small firms, retain its multinational capacity, and attract
new investment from abroad.
15. "Science" is core to many sectors
such as energy and transport, as well as the more obviously science-based
industries. These "science-related" industries rely
on a good supply of people and skills with a scientific basis,
and have much to contribute to science policy, particularly relating
to education and public perception.
16. If the government truly believes that
science principles and skills are essential to the future success
of UK plc, consideration must be made of the needs of the community.
It would be helpful if legislation and proposals could be assessed
at an earlier stage for their impact on science, so that there
are no unintended consequences. We do not expect all policy to
be formulated with science in mind, simply that those making decisions
are more aware of the potential impact on the sector.
17. The SSCs which are involved in science
have created a "cluster" which could provide ongoing
information and communication on aspects of government policy
which have an impact on skills in science companies. This SSC
Science Cluster has already met, and we will be working together
to ensure all the SSCs involved in science present a coherent
message.
How is the success of any consultation assessed?
18. Where formal submissions are made, SSCs
naturally monitor the effectiveness of these. We are in contact
with government departments and officials regularly on particular
issues relating to our sectors.
The case for a regional science policy (versus
national science policy)
19. There is no doubt that science "clusters"
are a key element of the sector's operation. The Sector Skills
Agreement for the Bioscience industry highlighted the development
of networks and clusters (which are often arranged on geographical
lines).
20. Regions are also in a strong position, through
Regional Development Agencies in England and regional skills partnerships,
to respond to the particular needs of science companies in their
locality. Working with local universities and colleges is also
a key element of successful implementation of science policy,
emphasising the local links with companies in terms of both supply
of skills and research collaboration.
21. There is also value in allowing regions
to have input into the development of the supply of people with
science skills, as they will have an overview of areas such as
science education, and regional science initiatives (such as Science
Cities).
Does the Haldane principle need updating?
22. We support the Haldane principle, but
recognise that business can be excluded from many research decisions.
The proposed reform of the Research Assessment Exercise which
brings funding for university research closer to the needs of
business is welcome.
23. We endorse the continuing independence of
the Research Councils from political influence.
Engaging the public and increasing public confidence
in science and engineering policy
24. There is no doubt that the relationship
between the government and the science community was strained
by various recent scientific debates, such as foot and mouth,
BSE, GM crops, etc. The public and the media may not always appreciate
the difficulties of formulating policy in a scientific environment,
where so much can be at stake (both in terms of public health
and the economy) but where solutions cannot be quickly established.
It is important to raise public awareness of the difficulty of
providing absolute cause, effect and solution for a given problem.
Government and science must work closely together to ensure what
is known and can be proved is used as the basis for policy, and
what is unknown and unproven receives proper funding and attention.
The role of GO-Science, DIUS and other Government
departments, charities, learned societies, Regional Development
Agencies, industry and other stakeholders in determining UK science
and engineering policy
25. Sector Skills Councils, with their remit
to provide expert analysis of the needs of companies in their
sectors, are already providing evidence of skill demands across
all the science industries. The new SSC Science Cluster will
be drawing together the ongoing work to ensure that coherent science
priorities emerging from the Sector Skills Agreements are established,
and that appropriate actions to address these priorities are put
in place.
26. We have already commented on the potential
positive influence of RDAs in England.
How should government science and engineering
policy be scrutinised?
27. The recently renamed Innovation, Universities,
Science and Skills Committee itself is clearly an integral part
of the scrutiny of policy in science. It has already examined
key areas such as science budget allocations. It should continue
to hold government and government bodies to account for their
actions which affect the science sector.
28. The SSC Science Cluster will be considering
all aspects of government policy which impact on science in companies.
January 2009
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