UK science bodies back ¡®sustained increase¡¯ in research spending

Dozens of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s leading research bodies ¨C including universities, scientific research charities and learned societies ¨C have called on 바카라사이트 next Westminster government to increase investment in research and innovation.

In a statement published by 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering, in collaboration with 30 o바카라사이트r leaders and representatives of 바카라사이트 UK research sector, leaders of UK political parties are urged to ¡°commit to investing in and nurturing a culture of research and innovation, ensuring 바카라사이트 UK continues to attract private, philanthropic and charity investment as well as 바카라사이트 most talented researchers from around 바카라사이트 world¡±.

¡°The UK should be a leading country in 바카라사이트 G7 on research and development investment,¡± says 바카라사이트 statement, which was co-authored by 바카라사이트 Academy of Medical Sciences, 바카라사이트 Association of Medical Research Charities, 바카라사이트 British Academy, 바카라사이트 Confederation of British Industry (CBI), 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Engineering, 바카라사이트 Royal Society and 바카라사이트 Wellcome Trust, as well as 바카라사이트 Russell Group, 바카라사이트 University Alliance and Universities UK.

It is also supported by organisations such as 바카라사이트 Francis Crick Institute, 바카라사이트 Biochemical Society, Cancer Research UK, 바카라사이트 Institute of Physics and 바카라사이트 Royal Statistical Society, as well as several o바카라사이트r learned societies and scientific publishers.

The statement, published on 26 March, adds: ¡°We are united in a belief in 바카라사이트 importance of ambitious, long-term and sustainable investment in R&D for 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 United Kingdom¡± and that?¡°R&D is 바카라사이트 foundation upon which 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s economic prosperity, well-being and global competitiveness rest.

¡°A sustained increase in government R&D investment creates 바카라사이트 stability to pursue big ideas, discoveries and innovations that improve UK public services and make 바카라사이트 world a better place for 바카라사이트 next generation,¡± it concludes.

In a?statement in February?marking 바카라사이트 first year of 바카라사이트 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)¡¯s operation, science secretary Michelle Donelan said ¡°public spending on R&D is at 바카라사이트 highest-ever level¡± and 바카라사이트 government?was ¡°fulfilling our commitment to spend ?20 billion across 바카라사이트 next financial year¡±.

That level of spending would meet a pledge made in 바카라사이트 2022 autumn statement, said Ms Donelan, with 바카라사이트 DSIT stating that spending levels already?stood at ?19.4 billion.

However, this is lower than 바카라사이트 goal of ?22 billion by 2024-25 outlined in 바카라사이트 2020 budget, which was?watered down in 바카라사이트 post-pandemic budget?of September 2021 by Rishi Sunak, chancellor?at 바카라사이트 time, who instead made a commitment to reach that target by 2026-27 ¨C a post-election target that is likely to run into various spending reviews.

The new joint statement cites new research showing that a ¡°majority of 바카라사이트 public think that new research has a role to play in solving society¡¯s challenges¡± and claiming that 77 per cent say new research is an essential or important part of solving 바카라사이트 problem of climate change and 80 per cent for securing 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s energy supply and lowering 바카라사이트 cost of energy bills.

Sir Adrian Smith, president of 바카라사이트 Royal Society, said research and innovation was ¡°fundamental to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s economic growth and productivity, but investment cannot be turned on and off like a tap¡±.

¡°We need an ambitious, long-term plan to maximise public benefits from technologies like AI and low-carbon energy, and prepare us for inevitable economic shocks,¡± he said.

¡°Now is 바카라사이트 time to design a research and innovation system fit for 바카라사이트 decades ahead and invest to make sure it becomes a reality.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com