A lack of technical literacy among public-sector policy-makers could create problems for the UK

Experts at an Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) conference today called for better relations between public sector agencies and technologists, to improve the UK’s chances of benefiting from innovation.

“We have to get policy makers to better understand technology,” argued Nick Tyler, professor of civil engineering at University College London, conceding that it would be “a huge task”. “[Policy-makers] feel they are standing on shifting ground [because technology changes rapidly]. But if we don’t get policy makers involved, we’re going to have problems,” he added.

Tyler cited the example of genetically modified food, where the firms that created the technology found themselves dramatically out of step with policy makers and with public opinion. As a consequence, huge capital investments were wasted.

“[Public sector agencies] have to get ahead of the technology curve when setting policies,” agreed Martin Davey, head of technical services at Transport for London, citing the planned introduction of road pricing. “If it goes wrong, who’s responsible?” he asked. “Where does the balance of evidence lie? We have to have answers [before rolling out the system] to avoid fighting a rearguard action.”

To illustrate the dangers of ill-informed policy-making, Tyler described how the rise of retail parks had led to changes in town planning, designed to boost the fortunes of smaller urban retailers. However, he argued that supermarkets had originally quit town centres due to high costs per square foot, and so when forced to focus on smaller “Express” or “Metro” outlets, they used technology to redress the cost balance. Most dispensed with stock rooms to maximise turnover per square foot, relying instead on automated stock control systems and just-in-time delivery.

According to Tyler, the result has been a sharp rise in heavy goods vehicles in town centres, leading to increased emissions and congestion, plus the dangers of blocked bus-stops and pedestrian crossings. Parking tickets, he added, do little to dent the economics of the situation. “Were policy makers unaware of the commercial [and technological] situation?” he asked.

Tyler conceded that it will take years to improve relations between the two constituencies. Universities must modify courses to encourage a wider view of technology, he argued, and public bodies must concede that regulation is a blunt instruments that can create unintended consequences “Policy makers should focus on outcomes – they must take a larger and wider view,” he said.