https://doi.org/10.36866/pn.96.8

Engaging with Parliamentarians launched!

The policy committee launched its ‘Engaging with Parliamentarians’ programme at a lunch reception, held on 30 June in the House of Lords. Andrew Miller, MP, who chairs both the Commons Science and Technology Select Committee and Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, delivered an address to approximately 50 Society members who were in attendance. Mr Miller provided a brief overview of science in parliament and then answered questions from the audience. The Society sincerely thanks Mr Miller for his talk and The Baroness Golding for hosting the event. The next stage of the programme is a training day, to be held at Hodgkin Huxley House in September, which will be reported in a future issue of Physiology News.

David Cameron names new science and education ministers

The July cabinet reshuffle resulted in a number of ministerial changes of note for The Society. Dr Greg Clark has replaced David Willetts as the Minister for Universities and Science. Dr Clark, who has a PhD in economics, will be combining this role with his previous position as Minister for Cities and Constitution. George Freeman, having previously been a Life Science Adviser to the Government, has been made the Minister for Life Sciences. It is a new ministerial position, which will sit jointly between the Department for Health and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. In education, Nicky Morgan has replaced Michael Gove as the Secretary of State.

Society responds to Home Office consultation on section 24

The Society responded to a Home Office consultation on the review Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Section 24 prohibits the release of information relating to animal research gathered by the Home Office under its legislative duties. The response called on the Government to ensure that people, places and intellectual property were provided with suitable protection following the review of Section 24. The Society responded to this consultation through the UK Bioscience Coalition and also submitted a supplementary submission with the British Pharmacological Society. The responses can be found on our website – www.physoc.org/our-impact

If you are interested in these or any other policy related issues please contact us via policy@physoc.org