Making the case for evidence

In the UK’s snap election campaign, will voters be fed up of experts? Or will the claims and counterclaims of the EU referendum and previous polls make the general public search for the balance of evidence?

Government has a duty to consider the weight of evidence to help form effective policies for the public good. Considering the weight of evidence helps make policies smarter, more effective and cheaper. The UK faces big policy change in the coming years, with time and resources stretched, so it is vital that the mechanisms for politicians to access and use evidence are fit for purpose and performing well.

CaSE has published its new report Improving the use of evidence in UK government policymaking, to encourage this. It points out that despite UK science advice structures being well regarded around the world, they aren’t perfect. They could benefit from being more strategically joined-up across all government departments. The report also reveals the need for people equipped with the right skills to bring evidence to bear on decisions at every level of government.

There are many ways to do this, but the network of departmental chief scientific advisers led by the government chief scientific adviser (GCSA) form a strong core. A new GCSA is currently being sought. Whoever is appointed will need to be influential in government, embodying and enabling science advice, and a powerful voice for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics community.

Likewise at the Department for International Trade, which is now seeking a chief scientific adviser after earlier worries that it might not appoint one in time for Brexit talks. With this post filled, imagine the expertise the department will be able to harness to support trade negotiations. More importantly, they will be trusted to flag up unnoticed issues or unintended consequences.

The Department for Exiting the EU could similarly benefit from a chief scientific adviser. It has said it will access advice via the GCSA, but that route is arguably weakened while a replacement is sought for this post. CaSE calls on the department to urgently establish a robust mechanism for accessing scientific advice.

We can be proud that the UK and its government has one of the most highly regarded systems for scientific advice in the world. We must challenge politicians to use that system to weigh, scrutinise and discuss the balance of evidence in everyone’s interests.

Author: Dr Sarah Main is Executive Director at CaSE, the Campaign for Science and Engineering.

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