Shadow science minister Adam Afriyie has promised scientific literacy lessons on evidence-based policy-making for new Conservative MPs and top civil servants. The new three-point Conservative policy proposes: scientific literacy lessons for elected politicians with a view to introducing compulsory lessons for senior civil servants as part of their CPD; science awareness sessions incorporated into the induction arrangements for all incoming Conservative MPs and existing MPs; and examination of the options for scientific literacy lessons in the civil service and for all elected officials. In addition, the Conservatives will consult on ways to integrate external scientific expertise into the decision-making process.
Adam Afriyie said: “We are a science-friendly party and I’ve been delighted with the response from colleagues, MPs and the wider science community. Today, it is more important than ever to take a scientific, evidence-based approach to policy making and avoid reliance on gut instinct or untested assumption. Policy decisions often demand sound scientific understanding, so that modern terms like ‘nano’, ‘nuclear’ and ‘genetically modified’ are better understood. By building a base of scientific knowledge among politicians and officials, we aim to strengthen the role of science in policy-making.
And by making better use of external scientific expertise, we aim to widen the pool of knowledge available to government.”