A coalition of the UK's most prominent experts has issued a stark warning: the government is increasingly ignoring crucial scientific advice, leading to poorly conceived policies on issues of national importance.
The report, compiled by the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), reveals a deeply concerning pattern where ministers sideline or disregard evidence from official advisory bodies like the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). This trend is eroding public trust and hindering effective policymaking.
Key Findings of the Report
The investigation uncovered several critical failures in how science is integrated into the heart of government:
- Ignored Warnings: Ministers repeatedly failed to act on early warnings from SAGE during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly regarding the urgent need for border controls.
- Advisory Vacuum: Crucial expert committees, such as those for home energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture, have been left dormant or disbanded, creating a policy black hole.
- Transparency Deficit: A significant lack of clarity surrounds how scientific advice is sourced and whether it is actually heeded by those in power.
A Call for an Evidence-Based Overhaul
In response to these systemic failures, experts are demanding a major restructuring of the government's relationship with science. Key recommendations include:
- Establishing an independent public advocate to champion the use of evidence in policy debates.
- Implementing a legal duty of transparency, forcing ministers to publicly explain why they have chosen to reject official scientific advice.
- Reinvigorating and properly funding the Government Office for Science to ensure robust, long-term scientific analysis.
Sarah Main, executive director of CaSE, emphasised the urgency, stating, "The government must strengthen its systems for using science and expertise in policymaking to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead." This sentiment was echoed by Professor Sir Adrian Smith, president of the Royal Society, who warned that sidelining experts "damages lives," as seen during the pandemic.
The report serves as a crucial wake-up call, arguing that for the UK to navigate future crises effectively—from climate change to public health—it must rebuild its commitment to evidence-based governance.
