Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, has joined top researchers to discuss pressing issues in government policy and the evidence behind them. Evidence Week in Parliament is a unique event where voters ask the questions and MPs and researchers seek out the answers.
Initiated by the campaigning charity Sense about Science and the House of Commons Library, Evidence Week is run in partnership with the LSE, the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST), Ipsos MORI and the Office for Statistics Regulation. During the week, MPs meet with leading researchers from across the UK to get the latest insights on pressing issues including housing, food supplies, energy, health and tackling inequality.
Stephen Metcalfe said:
“Evidence is essential in effective policymaking. Parliament needs evidence to produce accurate and targeted legislation that will truly improve people’s lives. Chatting to researchers at Evidence Week highlighted to me that the collection of evidence can reveal important nuances to some of the greatest issues affecting British society, many of which have previously been unexplored. It is essential to know about these nuances when making policy.
I would like to thank Sense about Science for organising such an important and fascinating event in Parliament.”
Stephen received quick fire briefings from researchers on a range of topic areas including how to promote healthier aging and how electric vehicles can become more aerodynamic. Stephen also learnt about the emerging evidence and potential strategies for tackling complex issues such as the use of physical restraints and isolation in prisons, hospitals and care homes and improving the movement skills in children post-lockdown.
Tracey Brown, Director of Sense about Science, said:
“Evidence matters to people, and it is great that MPs, like Stephen, recognise this and explore its use in policy.”
For more information about the event, please contact evidenceweek@senseaboutscience.org
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS CREDIT TO JAMES GIFFORD-MEAD PHOTOGRAPHY.
