Some government departments show "little general awareness of, or interaction with" the science advisory councils set up to support them, according to a review from the Government Office for Science.
The review, carried out between December 2012 and March 2013, considers the five existing SACs and two related committees. It calls for greater interaction within the departments, saying that "at a minimum, an initial meeting with a minister or the permanent secretary should be held".
A Ministry of Defence policy official is reported to have said that there could be more opportunities for policy teams to approach the SACs. Further suggestions in the review include pairing or fellowship schemes with policy teams; links with national academies, science advisory committees and research councils; and training members in working with government.
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