November 23, 2016

expert reaction to the Autumn Statement

In his autumn statement, the chancellor Phillip Hammond, confirmed an additional investment in R&D, rising to an extra £2 billion per year by 2020-21.

Professor David Lane CBE, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Founder and Director, Edinburgh Alliance in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, said:

“Today’s announcement of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund is excellent news for UK research and innovation. We first proposed challenge led innovation for robotics and artificial intelligence in the RAS2020 national strategy in 2014 based on our experiences starting successful new businesses in the marine and transport sectors.

“Today’s announcement will enable this successful model to be applied more broadly. Robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence are affecting all areas of our lives, impacting the design of almost everything that moves. The UK now has the opportunity to become a significant international innovator capturing our share of the value from an estimated $2-$7 trillion of economic impact by 2025.”

Sir David Baulcombe, President of the Biochemical Society, said:

“Today the Chancellor through the Autumn Statement has confirmed that the investment in R&D projects will rise by £2bn a year and will support the advancement of science, technology and innovation.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to support R&D which will help keep post-Brexit Britain at the cutting edge of science and technology.

“The Society will be examining the full implications of government’s plans, will keep working closely with our sister societies to represent our community. We look forward to further dialogue about funding for science and technology as we head towards the March Budget.”

Prof. Sir Robert Lechler, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

“The Chancellor’s decisions will help the UK remain an international leader in research, and attract the ideas, investment and people that we need to prosper.

“Research is one of the UK’s strengths. The Academy has called for long-term investment in this sector – today’s announcement represents an investment in our innovative researchers, and an investment in the transformational work they do.”

Prof. Alice Gast, President of Imperial College London, said:

“This is good news for science. The Chancellor has recognised that investing in research and innovation is the best way to raise productivity. We welcome the recognition of the potential impact of long-term investment in science and innovation and we will work to ensure that the whole country reaps the benefits of these investments.

“From robotics and artificial intelligence to biotechnology and advanced materials, the UK is well-placed to lead the next generation of scientific discovery and opportunities for growth. Imperial is ready to share its expertise to help make a success of industrial strategy.”

Dr Sarah Main, Director of Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:

“There are exciting possibilities for this substantial new investment in research: new ideas, inventions, improvements in quality of life, and innovative businesses and jobs. This is a really considerable vote of confidence in science: it is £2bn a year of new money for R&D, to be managed and overseen by researchers through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Lets make sure we use it well.”

Declared interests

None declared