Consultation Responses
The science policy team and education policy team develop responses to consultations on behalf of the Society, on topics including access to academic research, guidance on animal research, plant science, the funding and commercialisation of research, issues impacting on learning and teaching in primary, secondary and higher education.
We also maintain an archive of consultation responses as a record of outputs.
Responses in 2024
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Education, Children and Young People Committee's call for views on the Education (Scotland) Bill establishing a new body called Qualifications Scotland to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority. As part of the Learned Societies Group, RSB also contributed to a joint submission.
August 2024
The Royal Society of Biology, alongside the Association for Science Education, Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Physics sent a letter to Lynne Neagle MS, after her appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Education in Wales.
Unpublished
July 2024
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Department for Education's Review of the RSHE statutory guidance.
July 2024
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, after her appointment to the new government.
July 2024
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Welsh Government's 14 to 16 learning under the Curriculum for Wales: consultation on statutory learning guidance
May 2024
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Environmental Audit Committee's inquiry into climate change and security.
April 2024
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the DEFRA Animal Welfare Committee’s call for evidence on "Welfare Implications of Breeding and Breeding Technologies in Commercial Livestock Agriculture".
March 2024
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a representation to the Spring Budget 2024.
January 2024
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to the Food Standards Agency regarding the proposals for a new framework in England for the regulation of precision bred organisms used for food and animal feed. January 2024
Responses in 2023
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to the Prime Minister regarding climate change and the COP28 conference.
The Science Education Policy Alliance sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan after the Advanced British Standard was announced.
October 2023
The Royal Society of Biology submitted written evidence to the Department for Education's consultation considering generative artificial intelligence in education.
August 2023
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to provide feedback on the Pioneer proposal.
July 2023
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to Keir Starmer regarding Labour’s five missions for a better Britain and recommending that the Labour party adopt evidence-based recommendations to improve science education.
July 2023
The Association for Science Education, Institute of Physics, Royal Society and Royal Society of Biology and Royal Society of Chemistry jointly submitted further evidence to the House of Lords 11-16 Education Committee inquiry regarding perceived difficulty, inter-subject comparability and grading severity in science GCSEs and A levels.
June 2023
The Royal Society of Biology submitted written evidence in response to the House of Commons Education Committee inquiry into teacher recruitment, training and retention.
April 2023
The Royal Society of Biology provided a written submission to the House of Lords 11-16 Education inquiry advocating for a single route through the science sat GCSE.
April 2023
The Royal Society of Biology collaborated with the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics on a joint evidence submission to the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s ad hoc session on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe.
April 2023
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's call for evidence on emerging diseases and learnings from COVID-19.
March 2023
The Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Biology and Royal Society of Chemistry submitted a joint written briefing to DfE on teachers teaching outside of specialism in the sciences (unpublished).
March 2023
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint response to the Scottish Government’s independent review of qualifications and assessment phase two consultation (preferred options).
January 2023
Responses in 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Qualifications Wales' consultation on the GCSE The Sciences (Double award) proposal, alongside mapping of the proposed content to the Evolving 5-19 Biology exemplification.
December 2022
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding biodiversity loss and the COP15 conference.
December 2022
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint response to the Scottish Government’s National Discussion on education.
December 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s National Discussion on education.
December 2022
Along with the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Society of Biology sent a joint letter to Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, setting out our priorities in education policy.
November 2022
The Royal Society of Biology sent letters to Kit Malthouse, Secretary of State for Education, and Nusrat Ghani, Science Minister, setting out RSB's priorities in science and education policy.
October 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the BEIS Secretary of State's call for evidence on the UK's Net Zero Strategy
October 2022
The Royal Society of Biology provided a written submission to the House of Lords Science Committee inquiry on people and skills in UK science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
September 2022
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Scottish Government's consultation on enhanced data collection for educational improvement.
August 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Children, Young People and Education Committee's consultation on education reforms throughout the sixth Senedd.
July 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the consultation on the design of the UK’s future research assessment system carried out by the UK higher education funding bodies.
May 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the consultation on the draft UKRI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
March 2022
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Cabinet Office call for evidence on the UK's Biological Security Strategy.
March 2022
The Royal Society of Biology together with the Association for Science Education, Institute of Physics and Royal Society of Chemistry submitted a response to the Education Committees’ the future of post-16 qualifications inquiry.
March 2022
Responses in 2021
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Ken Muir's review of Education Scotland and Scottish Qualifications Authority
November 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Defra consultation on a Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain.
November 2021
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on Scottish STEM Education in response to OECD's review of the Curriculum for Excellence.
September 2021
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to HM Treasury regarding the Comprehensive Spending Review 2021.
September 2021
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to the Prime Minister regarding climate change and the COP26 conference.
September 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee inquiry on the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.
July 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Defra consultation on the Draft Policy Statement on Environmental Principles.
June 2021
As part of the Learned Societies Group, the Royal Society of Biology shared a briefing paper on STEM education for those seeking election to the Scottish Parliament.
April 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a letter in response to a call from the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR).
April 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Qualification Wales consultation on the future range of subjects that should be available as GCSEs and which other made-for-Wales qualifications should be available alongside them.
April 2021
Along with the Association for Science Education, Institute of Physics, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint briefing to the Department for Education on Level 3 Qualifications in Applied Sciences and Engineering
March 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Defra consultation on the regulation of genetic technologies.
March 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Defra consultation on improvements to animal welfare in transport. The RSB sent a separate letter to the Scottish Government Agriculture and Rural Delivery Directorate in relation to the Scottish consultation on the welfare of animals in transport, which is a devolved policy matter.
February 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) inquiry on equity in the STEM workforce.
January 2021
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the joint Ofqual and DfE consultation on how GCSE, AS and A level grades should be awarded in summer 2021.
January 2021
Responses in 2020
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology prepared a response to Scottish government on Scottish STEM education as part of our engagement with the ongoing OECD review of the Curriculum for excellence. The Chair of LSG also summarised our views in a short video.
December 2020
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the rapid review of National Qualifications experience 2020 by Professor Mark Priestley
September 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a representation to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2020.
September 2020
As part of the Learned Societies Group in Scotland, the Royal Society of Biology responded to SQA's proposals for modifications to National 5, higher and Advanced Higher assessments for 2020-21
August 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the BEIS R&D survey consultation on the UK R&D Roadmap 2020.
August 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Science and Technology Select Committee (Commons) inquiry into A New UK Research Funding Agency.
July 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Ofqual's consultation outlining proposals for GCSE and A level exams and assessment in 2021 subsequent to disruption faced by schools, teachers and students due to COVID-19.
July 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to exam board OCR's proposals for a new Natural History GCSE in England.
July 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted responses to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education consultations on outline T level content for Agriculture Land Management and Production and Animal Care and Management routes.
July 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted written evidence to the Welsh Children, Young People and Education Committee inquiry into the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on children and young people in Wales.
June 2020
The Royal Society of Biology sent a letter to Northern Ireland's Committee for Education on the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on bioscience education in Northern Ireland.
June 2020
As part of the Learned Societies Group, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint response with the Royal Society of Edinburgh to the Scottish Parliament Education and skills committee on the re-opening of schools in Scotland post-COVID-19
June 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted written evidence to the House of Commons Education Select Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on education and children's services.
June 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Ofqual's consultation on an autumn exam series in England
June 2020
Joint ASE, IOP, RS, RSB and RSC letter to Robert Halfon, chair of education select committee, and Gavin Williamson, Secretary of State for education on issues for 2020-21 Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) due to COVID-19 disruptions
June 2020
Through the Learned Societies Group, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint letter to the Scottish Government COVID-19 Education Recovery Group on a reduction in examinable course content for 2020/21 examinations in Scotland
May 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Ofqual's consultation on the extraordinary framework for vocational and technical qualifications
May 2020
The Royal Society of Biology has submitted a response to the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Open Access Review consultation.
May 2020
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to Ofqual's consultation on the exceptional arrangements for GCSE and A level grading and assessment in 2020.
April 2020
As part of the Learned Societies Group, the Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint letter to the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee inquiry on recruiting and training new teachers.
January 2020
Responses in 2019
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity, conducted by HM Treasury
November 2019
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a letter in response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' call for evidence on a National Food Strategy.
October 2019
The Royal Society of Biology has submitted a response to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics call for evidence on 'Genome Editing and Farmed Animals'
September 2019
The Royal Society of Biology has produced a briefing paper on the post-18 review of education and funding, outlining the report recommendations and the Society's views
September 2019
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a joint letter with subject associations to TES, urging the Department for Education to consider the importance of subject-specific mentoring and professional development in the implementation of the early career framework.
May 2019
The Royal Society of Biology has produced a report summary of the post-18 review of education and funding: independent panel report
May 2019
The Royal Society of Biology responded to Professor Adrian Smith’s call for evidence
on future frameworks for international collaboration on research and innovation.
31 May 2019
The Royal Society of Biology responded to Ofsted's consultation on proposals for changes to the education inspection framework.
5 April 2019
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on Brexit, Science and Innovation: Preparations for 'No-Deal'.
23 January 2019
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Institute for Apprenticeship's consultation on proposed outline content for Technical Qualifications for T levels in Health, Healthcare science and Science.
16 January 2019
Responses in 2018
As part of the Learned Societies Group (LSG) we submitted a joint response to the GTCS consultation on proposals for revising the Memorandum on Entry Requirements for Initial Teacher Education Programmes in Scotland.
December 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the UK Higher Education Funding Bodies consultation on REF 2021 draft guidance on submissions, panel criteria and working methods.
15 October 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee's inquiry on Balance and effectiveness of research and innovation spending.
10 October 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the consultation on the Fisheries White Paper: sustainable fisheries for future generations, held by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
12 September 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Clean Air Strategy Consultation, held by several Government departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
13 August 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has produced a briefing document on reformed GCSEs and new 9 to 1 grading scale, including information on the 17 point scale for combined science.
August 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to Ofqual’s consultation on regulating Technical Qualifications as part of the development of new T level routes
3 August 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance after EU Exit held by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
2 August 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has produced a briefing document on the introduction of the T Levels, which are due to be introduced from the academic year 2020/21.
June 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the call for evidence on controlling live exports for slaughter and to improve animal welfare during transport after the UK leaves the EU issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
22 May 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has submitted a response to the Department for Education Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework: subject-level technical consultation
18 May 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Science and Technology Committee of the Commons' inquiry on an immigration system that works for science and innovation.
12 May 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has submitted a response to the 'Health and Harmony' consultation on the future for food, farming and the environment issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
8 May 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has submitted a response to the Department for Education's consultation on the Review of Post 18 Education and Funding
2 May 2018
The Royal Society of Biology has provided evidence to the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee of the House of Lords, in response to its inquiry on Brexit: plant and animal biosecurity
24 April 2018
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Department for Education's consultation on Strengthening Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Improving Career Progression for Teachers
9 March 2018
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into the Government’s 25-Year Plan for the Environment
26 February 2018
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Science and Technology Committee of the Commons Brexit Science and innovation Summit inquiry
12 February 2018
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Department for Education's consultation on the Implementation of T level programmes and the Institute for Apprenticeships' Occupational Maps consultation.
8 February 2018
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the consultation on the draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (text of the DEFRA draft Bill here)
7 February 2018
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Education Select Committee inquiry into the quality of apprenticeships and skills training, informed by policy and public affairs teams and committees, as well as membership and professional affairs.
5 January 2018
Responses in 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the economics of further, higher and vocational education inquiry
31 October 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Migration Advisory Committee call for evidence on EEA- workers in the UK labour market
27 October 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to Life Sciences Industrial Strategy inquiry
23 October 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to a request from Defra for views and information on potential implications of the use of Digital Sequence Information on genetic resources for the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the objective of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.
7 July 2017
The Royal Society of Biology as part of the Learned Societies Group has submitted evidence to the Scottish Education and Skills Committee on Teacher Workforce Planning for Scotland's Schools.
26 April 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the BEIS consultation on Building our Industrial Strategy.
13 April 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the HEFCE consultation on the 2nd Research Excellence Framework
17 March 2017
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry on Research Integrity.
14 March 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the BEIS consultation on the UK Bioeconomy.
27 January 2017
The Royal Society of Biology submitted a response to the draft STEM education and training strategy informed by a workshop hosted by the RSB Scotland branch. As part of the Learned Societies Group we submitted a joint response to the strategy.
31 January 2017
The Royal Society of Biology responded to an inquiry into closing the STEM skills gap
18 January 2017
The Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on measures taken to close the STEM skills gap.
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the My Science Inquiry
11 January 2017
The Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, and suggested two areas for scrutiny: Managing Conflicts of Interest and Interdisciplinary Research Landscape in the UK.
Responses in 2016
12 December 2016
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the Government's consultation on schools that work for everyone
The Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the Department for Education on schools that work for everyone.
The Royal Society of Biology responded to an inquiry on the impact of exiting the European Union on higher education
30 November 2016
The Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the Education Select Committee on the impact of exiting the EU on higher education.
The Learned Societies' Group has submitted a second-stage response to Education Scotland on the Curriculum for Excellence Science Benchmarks
24 November 2016
The Learned Societies' Group of which the Royal Society of Biology is a member has responded to the Scottish Government's draft Science Benchmarks for Assessments in further detail.
The Learned Societies' Group has responded to the Consultation on the Draft Curriculum for Excellence Benchmarks for Assessments in the Science
25 October 2016
The Learned Societies' Group of which the Royal Society of Biology is a member has responded to the Scottish Government's draft Benchmarks for Assessments in the Sciences.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Royal Society call for views on education research
25 October 2016
The Royal Society of Biology has submitted a response to the Royal Society-British Academy joint project call for views on educational research.
The Royal Society of Biology in alliance with the other Learned Societies responded to the Migration Advisory Committee call for evidence to inform their 'partial review of the Shortage Occupational List: Teachers' this also included an additional evidence annex.
16 September 2016
The Royal Society of Biology with the Association for Science Education, Institute of Physics, Royal Society and Royal Society of Chemistry responded to the call for evidence, in our response we raised concerns about continued under recruitment of teachers across the sciences.
The Royal Society of Biology responded to Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research inquiry
7 September 2016
The Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into the implications and opportunities of leaving the EU for science and research.
The Royal Society of Biology responded to the call for evidence on Accelerated Courses and Switching University Degrees
19th July 2016
The RSB has responded to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills call for evidence on accelerated courses and switching degrees.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the technical consultation on the Teaching Excellence Framework
12th July 2016
The RSB has submitted a response to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills on the technical consultation for the implementation of the TEF year 2.
The Learned Societies Group developed a briefing paper for new Members of the Scottish parliament.
10 May 2016
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to an inquiry into science communication
29 April 2016
The Royal Society of Biology submitted evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into Science communication.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Review of the Research Excellence Framework (REF)
24 March 2016
The RSB has submitted evidence to the independent review of the Research Excellence Framework chaired by Lord Stern.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Sub-Committee on Education, Skills and the Economy inquiry on apprenticeships
18 March 2016
The RSB has submitted evidence to the inquiry highlighting the needs of the biosciences sector.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the inquiry into EU regulation of the life sciences
15 March 2016
The RSB has submitted evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into EU regulation of the life sciences.
The Learned Societies' Group has responded to the Scottish Government's Review on Improvement to National Qualifications and Assessment
1 March 2016
The Learned Societies' Group of which the Royal Society of Biology is a member has responded to the review Chaired by Dr Alasdair Allan, the Learning Minister for Scotland.
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the consultation on Implementing the English Baccalaureate
28 January 2016
The Royal Society of Biology with the Association for Science Education, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry responded to the consultation, highlighting the issues faced in recruiting specialist teachers
The Royal Society of Biology has responded to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee green paper: Higher education: teaching excellence, social mobility and student choice
15 January 2016
The RSB consulted with its membership, committees and special interest groups to develop its response to the green paper.