In his recent lecture on Science and Technology Science Minister, Lord Drayson, an MIA member, followed a similar theme to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Innovation John Denham, and focused on the role of science and technology in the economy and how the UK funds scientific research.
Despite the economic downturn, the Prime Minister pledged that the science budget will remain ring fenced with the need to use science and technological development as a driver for economic growth. John Denham's speech concentrated on how research is funded and the role of industry in collaborating with the UK's Research and HE Funding Councils. This speech also looked to scientists and engineers to outline how public funds are spent on research projects and what benefits such funding provides. He called for the private sector to boost R&D spending if the UK is to remain internationally competitive.
Speaking to the Foundation for Science and Technology, Lord Drayson called for a debate to discuss the balance of the research budget and whether more can be done to support areas where the UK has a clear competitive advantage.
“Right now, people, businesses and countries are essentially asking themselves two questions” said Lord Drayson “ The first is about the "here and now": how are we going to get through these tough times?
The second is about the future: how do we get ourselves in the best position to exploit the upturn when it comes?”
“My question”, he continued “is whether we need to go further and – while maintaining our overall investment in science – shift a greater balance of our investment toward those areas.
Perhaps we could consider three criteria for identifying those areas for greater focus:
- where the UK has a clear competitive advantage;
- where the growth opportunity over the next twenty years is significant;
- and where the UK has a realistic prospect of being no1 or no2 in the world.
It is important that any decision should not be taken by government ministers alone – but would be based firstly upon a debate concluding that such a choice makes sense and then the emergence of a consensus about what those areas are – between the private and public sector; between academia, government and business.”
To read the Prime Minister's, the Innovation Secretary's and the Science Minister's speeches please click here.
