The UK government failed to use scientific advice early enough in its response to the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland last year, according to an inquiry by MPs. The delay meant that authorities were not fully prepared for the event, which grounded aircraft for nearly a week in April and cost the UK economy hundreds of millions of pounds.

In a report on the use of science in national emergencies, published on Wednesday, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee recommended that the government involve scientists more in planning for emergencies.

"Scientific advice and evidence play a key role in the prediction and assessment of risks as well as the resolution of an emergency once it occurs," said the report. "We have been left with the impression that while science is used effectively to aid the response to emergencies, the government's attitude to scientific advice is that it is something to reach for once an emergency happens, not a key factor for consideration from the start of the planning process."

The MPs examined the use of scientific advice in four emergency situations: the 2009-10 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) pandemic, the April 2010 volcanic ash disruption, and potential damage from space weather and cyber attacks. [ GUARDIAN UK ]