Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
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Annual report shows UK science and innovation thriving
The Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) today launched the annual report on the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014.
The report finds that good progress has been made over the past year in implementing the challenging 10-year vision.
Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson, welcomed the report's positive trends.
"Our 10-year framework sets out a bold ambition for the UK's development in science and innovation. This year we have continued to make progress towards our key goals - increasing the impact of science and innovation on the economy, creating a climate where world-class science and technology can flourish and working to boost graduate numbers.
"That said, there's no room for complacency. We have tough challenges ahead to maintain our lead in an increasingly competitive world. We must work hard to encourage more young people to study science if we are to build a new generation of highly-skilled professionals.
"Recent changes including the newly independent Technology Strategy Board will create a stronger focus on innovation and help us in partnership with business to aid the development of new technologies to give Britain a leading edge."
Key highlights include:
* The UK remains second only to the US in global scientific excellence, despite increasing international competition;
* Numbers of spin-outs, increasing licensing and consultancy income indicate knowledge transfer and commercialisation activities from the science base are showing a healthy upward trend.
* Increased capital expenditure is improving research infrastructure in universities
* There has been an encouraging increase in the proportion of young people reaching expected levels in mathematics and science, and applications for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at undergraduate level have also increased;
* Business investment in R&D is growing in real terms and is keeping pace with GDP growth, though more rapid growth is needed to meet the long-term ambitions set out in the ten-year framework.
* The Technology Strategy Board (TSB), which became an arms-length body on 1 July 2007, will have an enhanced leadership role in driving up future levels of UK innovation performance.
Science and innovation is now part of the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). The Department's primary role will be to drive forward delivery of the Government's long-term vision to make Britain one of the best places in the world for science, research and innovation and to raise the level of education and skills at every level in our economy to give the UK a competitive edge.
