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The Cabinet Secretary is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Patrick Vallance as the new government Chief Scientific Adviser. Dr Vallance, who is currently President of Research and Development, at GlaxoSmithKline, and the former Head of Medicine at University College London, was chosen following an open competition. He will take up the post in Spring 2018. Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department of Health, is carrying out the role on an acting basis.

The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood said:

This is an excellent appointment for the Civil Service, in an important area of government business. Patrick Vallance has already advised the government on several occasions in his capacity as a Member of the UK Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, so he is well placed to offer the best scientific advice available to the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet. I am also looking forward to the contribution Patrick will make in leading the science community across government, building on the great work of Sir Mark Walport, his predecessor.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sir Mark for the invaluable contribution he has made to policy development and strengthening Whitehall’s already world-class science capability.

Commenting on his new role, Dr Patrick Vallance said:

It is a great honour to join the Civil Service as the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. Science, engineering and technology have a vital role to play at the heart of policy making and are critical to economic growth and prosperity in the UK as well as to addressing many of the greatest challenges of our time, such as environmental change and keeping our citizens healthy and secure.

I look forward to working with colleagues to ensure the government has the best possible advice, from the best experts, based on the strongest evidence, to inform the widest range of policy decisions.

Science Minister, Jo Johnson said:

Science and innovation plays a pivotal role in our Industrial Strategy and we’ve invested an additional £4.7 billion to 2020/21 to ensure we continue to build on our worldwide reputation as a science powerhouse. Dr Patrick Vallance’s extensive knowledge and experience from the private sector and academia will play a central role in supporting this commitment and promoting our global leadership status.

During his first visit to Washington since President Trump’s decision not to certify the Iran nuclear deal under US domestic legislation, the Foreign Secretary will meet foreign policy leaders from both parties.

Speaking at the start of his visit, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

The Iran nuclear deal makes the world safer. That’s why it is vital that the international community sticks to the deal. It is working and has, so far, resulted in Iran giving up 95 percent of its uranium stockpile. These are the points I will be making in my meetings in the United States this week.

Supporting the nuclear deal does not mean we should not call out and take action against disruptive Iranian behaviour elsewhere, including its ballistic missile programme and the unjustified detention of British dual-nationals. However, it is vital that we do not conflate the issues on which we should rightly condemn Iran and a deal which is neutralising the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran.

It took thirteen years of tireless diplomacy between the UK, US, our European partners and Iran to make the world a safer place. Now is not the moment to put that at risk but rather it is time for the US and UK to draw on the strength of our relationship and to focus on addressing Iran’s destabilising activity in the region.

In two days of meetings on Capitol Hill, the Foreign Secretary will meet with Speaker Paul Ryan, House and Senate Majority Leaders Representative McCarthy and Senator McConnell, and the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees, Senators Corker and Cardin, and Representatives Royce and Engel.

Further information

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The Secretary of State will deliver the Welsh Exhortation and honour the memories of those that have died during conflict by planting a wooden cross bearing his own personal tribute to those who have given their lives.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

At this time of remembrance, we pay tribute to the generations of service men and women who lost their lives serving our country, and defending our freedom. The people of Wales will always honour, with respect and appreciation, the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.

It will be an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to pay my own personal tributes at the Field of Remembrance, and to commemorate those who fought – and continue to fight – in the service of our nation around the world.