Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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A glowing report card for UK Science and Innovation
Sustained progress has been made by the Government in implementing a bold 10-year vision for science and innovation, a new report has revealed.
The fifth annual Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014 report for 2009, published today by the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills (BIS) outlines the latest achievements which have helped the UK to remain a research world leader and emerge as a powerhouse for innovation.
Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Drayson has welcomed the report’s positive findings:
“The evidence is clear – record levels of investment have helped us to build a world-class, sustainable research base. However we need to maintain this progress and continue to invest in talent, science and innovation. Our future depends on it.”
The UK remains second only to US in worldwide scientific excellence, despite increasing competition from other countries. It is also the most efficient and productive nation for research in the G8.
The report sets out the department’s progress to date against the framework’s six aspirations contained within the framework and the proposals set out in the framework ‘Next Steps’ document published at Budget 2006.
Key highlights include:
· The UK’s continued strong performance in delivering world class, sustainable research demonstrates that recent investments in research infrastructure have paid off;
· Knowledge transfer and commercialisation activities from the science base have been firmly established across the university sector and within Research Councils. In particular, the numbers of spin-outs remain well ahead of the early nineties;
· There has been encouraging increases in the proportion of young people reaching expected levels in science and mathematics. Applications for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at university have also grown;
· The UK’s strengths in the services and creative industries – where innovation is less likely to be picked up in indicators such as R&D – mean that overall the UK’s innovation performance is under-stated.
Notes to Editors
1. For more information, contact
Rachel Clarke
BIS press office
18002 020 7215 5945
2. The fifth annual Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014 report covers the calendar year November 2008 – November 2009. It can be found at http://www.dius.gov.uk/science/science_funding/ten_year_framework
3. The framework’s six aspirations are:
· Research excellence
· Greater responsiveness to the needs of the economy
· Increased business innovation and R&D
· Supply of scientists, engineers and technologists
· Public engagement with scientific research and its innovative applications
· Science and innovation across Government
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Rachel Clarke
Phone: 18220 020 7215 5945 - text direct
phone
Mobile: This is a text direct phone- please dial in fill
Rachel.Clarke@bis.gsi.gov.uk
