Policy statement for the formulation of policy (FOI)

Request

Please can you provide to me, or advise me where I can find, the policy statement of the Government on the use of evidence in the formulation of policy; and, in particular, what view is given, or limitations put, in such a statement of policy, or otherwise followed as a matter of practice, on the use or referencing of published scientific data that has not been peer-reviewed.

In the same vein, please can you also point me to the most recent report by the Government on how Ministers seek to ensure that 'expert' advice on which they may rely for policy making is, in all requisite situations, based on evidence reasonably able to be regarded as conclusive for such purposes, with particular reference to scientific material that has not been peer-reviewed.

Response

There is no overarching Government of Jersey statement, or published report, that sets out guidance relating to the use of evidence in policy making; it is the professional responsibility of the officials advising Ministers to ensure that any evidence considered in the framing of policy advice is accurately interpreted and presented. Sources of evidence may include published scientific data but may also include other forms of analytical information, such as demographic data, service performance data, or secondary and primary research. As such there is no statement, or published report, that explicitly provides for the referencing of published scientific data which has not been peer reviewed or is pending peer review.