Government Office for Science

Mission

The Government Office for Science’s mission is to put excellent science advice at the heart of decision making. They advise the Prime Minister and Cabinet to help ensure we are putting excellent science advice at the heart of decision making.

Science advice mechanisms that are efficient, effective, speak truth to power and are embedded irreversibly in government systems. Visible impact through both proactive and demand-led science advice that is relevant, excellent, and delivered fit for purpose.

The Government Office for Science is operationally independent and works across all of Government. For administrative purposes they are part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

They are led by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA) – Professor Dame Angela McLean. The Government Office for Science stands up the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies to provide science advice to COBR in a crisis. They support policymakers with evidence-based policymaking.

Priority focus areas:

• Science for national security & resilience – They make sure that science advice underpins national security and resilience policy, strategy, planning and crisis response and that the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is ready to stand up in the event of an emergency. 
• A more scientific civil service – They deliver a more scientific civil service by connecting people, building capability and setting the standard for a science-enabled government – including delivering the Government Science and Engineering Profession and Chief Scientific Adviser Networks. They also support wider government to deliver targeted and impactful investment in R&D.
• Science for strategic advantage – Their evidence and insights routinely inform the government’s national security and prosperity strategies, including through the missions. Their work positively impacts development and delivery of the science and technology strategy. They also equip departments with strong foresight and futures tools and supporting delivery of the Science & Technology Framework. 
• Science for current and future challenges – They ensure government has access to timely, high-quality advice on key future issues such as climate change mitigation and engineering biology, and that this scientific evidence supports the government’s approach. This includes supporting the independent Council for Science and Technology.