PM to establish new National Science and Technology Council

The National Science and Technology Council will provide strategic direction on the use of science and technology as tools to tackle great societal challenges, the PM announced today (21 June). 

Sir Patrick Vallance will head up a new Office for Science and Technology Strategy, based in the cabinet office, and take on the role of national technology adviser in addition to his current roles as chief scientific adviser and head of the government office for science.

Aiming to cement the UK’s position as a ‘global science superpower’, the National Science and Technology Council will strengthen government’s insight into cutting-edge research and technologies, the PM said, putting science and technology ‘at the centre of policy and public services’. 

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The whole of government will be tasked by the PM to work with the new council and office, using the success of the UK vaccine programme as an example to be applied to other priorities that could provide ‘meaningful benefit’ to British people. This could include technology developed to reach net zero, cancer research and keeping citizens safe at home and abroad.