RESEARCHERS SHOULD NOT BE LET DOWN BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

SBS today warned that the publication of two reports in two days showed signs that the research community was being let down by central Government.

“The House of Commons has produced a scathing attack on the way that ministers and civil servants handle science in the Department for International Development (DfID), while the Office of Science & Technology has found that Research Councils UK (RCUK) has no clear objectives and isn't even handling ‘essential’ administration properly,” said Dr Peter Cotgreave, Director of SBS.

SBS strongly supports the criticisms of DfID, which still does not have its own scientific adviser, almost two and half years after the Government announced that every department handling an “appreciable” amount of science should appoint one. “DfID invests £150 million of taxpayers’ money each year in scientific research, and in my book that counts as ‘appreciable’,” said Peter Cotgreave.

“Knowing the MPs were on the case, DfID has belatedly advertised for a Chief Scientist, but it is only a part-time post, when the Committee specifically says that it thinks the job is big enough to deserve a full-time post.”

Yesterday’s report on RCUK found that a new body – which inevitably costs money – was set up but that ‘clear objectives were not laid down’.

"Now it seems it’s not clear who the chair should be, it's not clear who's accountable for what, and it isn't even handling ‘essential’ administration properly. With the research community delivering huge value for the money it gets, and the Research Councils having a long-standing reputation for being well run, it is unacceptable that this picture is emerging of RCUK as a fly in the ointment".

“All this comes on top of a Government report ten days ago that criticised the Department of Culture for not taking science seriously, even though it sponsors the Natural History Museum, the British Library, and other major scientific resources.

“What we need a Minister for Science in the Cabinet, to give the subject the clout it deserves. It’s frankly ridiculous that in a modern economy, science can be treated as if it’s an optional extra rather than being an integral part of everything we do.”

ENDS