Executive summary
- Weaknesses in the Civil Service are holding back the use of science and technology to improve the United Kingdom’s (UK) prosperity. There is a lack of scientific and technological knowledge within most government ministries and departments.
- This undermines the Civil Service’s strategic analysis of Britain’s scientific and technological aims and capabilities, which stymies economic growth.
- His Majesty’s (HM) Government should: rethink or refresh the role of Chief Scientific Advisers; create a ‘net assessment’ office focused on science and technology capabilities; establish a ‘What Works’ centre to retain institutional memory; reform Civil Service recruitment to prioritise expertise; review promotion pathways and incentives to discourage excessive movement between departments; increase the salary of high performing civil servants (funded by reducing the size of the Civil Service); and better address underperformance.
About the author
Dr Mann Virdee is a Senior Research Fellow in Science, Technology and Economics at the Council on Geostrategy. He leads Caudwell Strong Britain. Previously, he was a researcher at the RAND Corporation, where he managed and conducted research on areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, 5G, space science and governance, biotechnology and the life sciences, and research and innovation. Mann has also worked for the UK Parliament and the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and IMF.
Disclaimer
This publication should not be considered in any way to constitute advice. It is for knowledge and educational purposes only. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council on Geostrategy or the views of its Advisory Council.
Image credit: Government buildings along Whitehall, London, England, UK, Dave Porter, Canva Pro licence
No. 2025/10| ISBN: 978-1-917893-01-5