We advise the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, to ensure that government policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking.
We are responsible for:
- giving scientific advice to the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, through a programme of projects that reflect the priorities of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser
- ensuring and improving the quality and use of scientific evidence and advice in government (through advice and projects and by creating and supporting connections between officials and the scientific community)
- providing the best scientific advice in the case of emergencies, through the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE)
- helping the independent Council for Science and Technology provide high level advice to the Prime Minister
- supporting strategic long term thinking in government through Futures and Foresight
- developing the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) profession
Priorities
Our priorities are:
- supporting national growth and increasing the UK’s productivity by linking science, innovation and industrial enterprise
- supporting regional growth by building on existing science and innovation activity across the country
- using technology to develop modern and cheaper public services
- preventing or addressing emergencies and mapping national security risks