Memorandum 179
Submission from the Campaign for Science
and Engineering
INTRODUCTION
1. The Campaign for Science and Engineering
(CaSE) is a pressure group aiming to improve the scientific and
engineering health of the UK. Our objective is to communicate
to Parliament and the nation as a whole the economic and cultural
importance of science and engineering, and the vital need for
its funding by government and industry. CaSE is supported by its
members, which includes individuals, corporations, universities
and learned societies.
2. CaSE has long been an advocate for improving
the system of science and technical advice within Government.
We strongly believe that government departments need appropriate
research and development (R&D) budgets, internal scientific
and engineering expertise, and systems to access independent external
advice.
THE ROLE
AND EFFECTIVENESS
OF THE
GOVERNMENT OFFICE
FOR SCIENCE
AND THE
CHIEF SCIENTIFIC
ADVISERS IN
PROVIDING ENGINEERING
ADVICE ACROSS
GOVERNMENT AND
COMMUNICATING ISSUES
RELATING TO
ENGINEERING IN
GOVERNMENT TO
THE PUBLIC
3. The Government Office of Science (GO
Science) and the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) have
important roles in providing engineering advice across government
and for challenging departments to improve their scientific and
engineering capabilities. Both GO Science and the GCSA have a
cross-department responsibility for scientific and technical advice.
However, it is critical that every department has their own internal
capacity as well. Greater focus should be given to engineering
and technical expertise within the scientific advisory system.
THE USE
OF ENGINEERING
ADVICE IN
GOVERNMENT POLICY
MAKING
4. Government departments need to have the
same "intelligent customer" function for engineering
advice as the need to for scientific advice. For this to happen
they need senior civil servants and members of Scientific Advisory
Committees with relevant engineering and technical backgrounds.
It cannot be expected that each Departmental Chief Scientific
Adviser will have expertise in all of the scientific and technical
issues relevant to their department. However, consideration should
be given to having a balance of scientific and technical expertise
within the Committee of Chief Scientific Advisers.
5. The Sainsbury Review recommendation 8.4
was that a "more robust mechanism should be put in place
to identify and protect departmental R&D budgets." CaSE
supports the development of a "robust mechanism" so
that R&D budgets are maintained and strengthened in order
to improve departmental capacity to procure the evidence and innovation
relevant to their functions.
THE STATUS
OF ENGINEERING
AND ENGINEERS
WITHIN THE
CIVIL SERVICE
6. CaSE supports the science and engineering
profession programme co-ordinated within the Government Office
of Science. However, it is critical that each government department
works to support their engineers. Each department and agency should
have a head of profession for scientists and engineers. However,
this is not yet the case. For example, even after numerous recommendation
by various parliamentary and government reviews, the Department
for Culture, Media and Sports still does not have a Departmental
Chief Scientific Adviser, Scientific Advisory Committee or Head
of Profession. As the lead Department responsible for the London
Olympics and good design in the built environment, engineering
expertise, as well as other scientific disciplines, should be
better integrated into the DCMS by now.
7. As part of their work to improve the
standing of engineers, departments need to provide the support,
both in terms of finance and time, for membership and participation
in professional engineering institutes relevant to their area
of expertise.
8. CaSE strongly supports the need for a
science and engineering fast stream into the civil service. Increasing
the number of people within the civil service with engineering
and technical skills should be a government priority. However,
we are very concerned that there are very few opportunities available
in the science and engineering fast stream. There were only 17
vacancies for the science and engineering fast track position
in 2007. Nine out of the 249 successful candidates for the general
fast stream, which includes the science and engineering fast stream,
had an engineering degree.[29]
CaSE recommends that the government recruit more individuals with
an engineering background so that there is a better balance of
skills within the civil service.
9. Secondments are another important route
for improving engineering skills within government. Departments
should support and facilitate both inward and outward secondments
of engineers to improve the technical skills available.
10. As part of the Government's commitment
to improving science and engineering skills, it should record
the number of engineering specialists and secondments in each
department. Departmental science reviews should examine if there
is appropriate engineering and technical expertise within the
department.
THE ROLE
AND EFFECTIVENESS
OF PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS AND
THE ENGINEERING
COMMUNITY IN
PROVIDING ENGINEERING
ADVICE TO
GOVERNMENT AND
THE CIVIL
SERVICE
11. The Royal Academy of Engineering has
an important role in providing engineering advice to Government.
Part of the Academy's Grant-in-Aid package from DIUS goes toward
policy advice. The Academy produces important topical policy reports.
However, it can be difficult to measure the effectiveness of reports
and the Royal Academy of Engineering should strengthen its capacity
for on-going dialogue and post-report follow-up to ensure the
greatest impact on the policy process.
12. Professional engineering institutes
also play an important role in facilitating the exchange of information
between their respective communities and departments on relevant
issues. Individual engineers also volunteer their time and expertise
to sit on formal advisory committees, but there are also many
contributions made through informal dialogue. Their important
contribution to engineering advice to Government and the civil
service should be supported, recognised and better facilitated.
INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLES
OF HOW
ENGINEERS AND
ENGINEERING ADVICE
ARE IMBEDDED
IN GOVERNMENT
13. One example is the US Secretary of State's
Science and Technology Adviser. Although the current incumbent
is a biologist, the post provides both scientific and technical
advice. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office should appointment
a similar position to imbed scientific and engineering advice
within the FCO. Many diplomatic issues have a scientific or technical
component. The UK's diplomatic position on these issues would
be strengthened by greater internal technical expertise.
September 2008
29 Cabinet Office (2008) Civil Service Fast Stream
Recruitment 2007: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/reports/faststream/ Back
| 
