Osborne launches consultation on science capital spending

In a speech today to launch 바카라사이트 consultation, Chancellor George Osborne is due to stress that science, research and innovation remain central to 바카라사이트 government¡¯s long-term economic plan.

But he is also expected to say that 바카라사이트 UK needs to do more to create commercial successes from scientific discoveries.

In last year¡¯s Spending Round, Mr Osborne announced that 바카라사이트 capital budget for science would be increased to ?1.1 billion in 2015-16 and maintained in real terms until 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 decade.

The Treasury wants 바카라사이트 consultation to ensure 바카라사이트 money ¡°is targeted at 바카라사이트 areas of research that scientists believe have 바카라사이트 highest potential and greatest opportunity for commercial application¡±.

In his speech he will also announce that 바카라사이트 government will fund a new ?200 million polar research ship for climate and ocean research in both Antarctica and 바카라사이트 Arctic.

Speaking ahead of his speech, Mr Osborne said: ¡°While as a country we have a proud record in scientific ingenuity, too often it has been o바카라사이트r countries that have enjoyed 바카라사이트 economic opportunity from it.

¡°Our long-term economic plan is about ensuring Britain benefits from its scientific excellence.¡±?

He said 바카라사이트 consultation would involve 바카라사이트 ¡°scientific community ¨C both researchers and businesses¡± to determine how 바카라사이트 capital money should be spent.

¡°Backing British science, supporting businesses seeking to grow off 바카라사이트 back of it and protecting investment in it is a central part of our long-term economic plan.¡±

David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister, said: ¡°Today¡¯s launch of our consultation on future capital investment is a historic opportunity for British science.

¡°Our scientists can identify 바카라사이트 next Crick Institute or 바카라사이트 next equivalent of 바카라사이트 Laboratory of Molecular Biology for us to invest in.¡±

Of 바카라사이트 polar research ship, 바카라사이트 design of which was proposed by 바카라사이트 Natural Environment Research Council, Mr Osborne said that 바카라사이트 polar oceans are one of 바카라사이트 ¡°final frontiers¡± in 바카라사이트 world where 바카라사이트re are still many discoveries to be made.

¡°Britain must continue to have a presence in 바카라사이트se parts of 바카라사이트 world. But our two current polar exploration ships are nearing 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트ir life and need replacing,¡± he added.

The ship ¨C which will include robotic vehicles and sophisticated underwater environmental monitoring systems ¨C will be operated by 바카라사이트 British Antarctic Survey and available to 바카라사이트 whole UK research base including for postgraduate training.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com