Government needs a ‘chief engineer’ say MPs

MPs have called for a 'government chief engineer' after a report highlighting a lack of engineering advice on key government policies "shocked" an influential committee.

The formulation of key government policies including renewable energy, ecotowns and large information technology projects was found to ‘barely feature’ engineering advice, if it was there at all.

The report from the innovation, universities, science and skills committee concludes that Whitehall “lacks sufficient in-house engineering expertise to fully exploit the UK’s world-class engineering base" and recommends the appointment of a “government chief engineer”.

Tom Foulkes, director general of the Institution of Civil Engineers, told the Financial Times: “Without engineers infrastructure can neither be built nor maintained.

“That is why we have called for the creation of the post of chief engineering adviser, and we are delighted the select committee is recommending this.”