Politicians from the UK’s major opposition party will be forced to take science lessons, according to The Times.

The paper says Adam Afriyie, the Conservative party’s science spokesman, has drawn up plans for “compulsory lessons in scientific literacy” to address concerns that members of parliament are sadly lacking in scientific nous:

Classes explaining scientific method and basic concepts will be included in the induction programme for all Tory MPs after the next election, and sitting members and peers will also be offered the opportunity to attend, The Times has learnt.

“The evidence-based scientific approach extends well beyond subjects like embryology or GM crops,” Afriyie told the Times. “It is also critical to social policy and criminal sentencing, and it cuts across all areas of government.”