4th Report - The role and functions of departmental Chief Scientific Advisers (Report)

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government agrees with several recommendations on CSAs, including on GCSA involvement in appointments and early involvement in policy, but says some, if implemented rigidly, could restrict flexibility, and it does not accept a mandatory external-appointment rule or a further review of scientific advisory councils.

• On recruitment, it agrees the GCSA should be involved in all CSA appointments, but is "not persuaded" that appointments should automatically be made externally.
• On policy engagement, it agrees CSAs should be involved "early on and throughout the policy process", but says a formal sign-off role will not necessarily be the most effective approach in every case.
• On Board membership and grading, it stresses flexibility: many departments let the CSA attend Board meetings without a formal seat, and the precise grade "should remain a matter for the Permanent Secretary".
• It is not persuaded of the need for new CSA disagreement guidelines, though it "will consider" whether the GCSA's Guidelines might set out the issue more clearly when next reviewed. It does not believe an additional review of Science Advisory Councils is necessary.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error