The GCSA 1, 2 is appointed by the Prime Minister. He is responsible for advising the Prime Minister and Government on key science and technology issues[3] affecting policy challenges. This is achieved through regular meetings with and advice to the PM and Secretaries of State, key ministers, Cabinet Committees, Permanent Secretaries and through participation in strategic emergency planning. He pays particular attention to issues that traverse departmental boundaries[4], engage international policy makers[5], [6] (including Devolved Administrations on non-devolved matters[7]) and support strategic planning processes inside departments[8]. Through the work of GO-Science[9] and in concert with the community of departmental CSAs (DCSAs) and other heads of analytical professions, the GCSA also sets standards of good practice and quality assurance across Whitehall, reinforced by a programme of Science Reviews[10] on a departmental basis. He leads the science and engineering profession within the Civil Service[11], [12], [13], [14].
That role and the necessary linkages to help embed scientific and engineering evidence into policy making can be found across a wide range of policy documents and statements. This document seeks to bring together the threads that make up the framework within which we operate with colleagues around Whitehall.
