The work of many Government departments makes use of—or has implications for—science, engineering, technology and research. The Science and Technology Committee exists to ensure that Government policies and decision-making are based on solid scientific evidence and advice.

The Science and Technology Committee is a departmental select committee that scrutinises the Government Office for Science (GO-Science), which is a "semi-autonomous organisation" that works with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and reports to the Cabinet Secretary.

GO-Science “advise the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, to ensure that government policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking”.

The Committee has a similarly broad remit and can examine the activities of government departments that make use of science, engineering, technology and research (otherwise known as science for policy). In addition, the Committee scrutinises policies that affect the science and technology sectors, such as research funding and skills (often referred to policy for science).