March 21, 2012

scientific community response to 2012 budget

Following the announcement in the Budget of extra funding for science and technology, and the Coalition’s aim of making Britain into Europe’s technology “centre”, the SMC sent out comments from scientific leaders.

Dr Mark Downs, CEO of the Society of Biology, said:

“The Society welcomes the Government’s additional funding for science and engineering announced in the budget. Fulfilment of commitments to the Patent Box and R&D tax credits are essential to stimulate research investment. But, if the Life Sciences are to deliver on the Government’s ambition as an engine for economic growth there is still much to be done to overcome the inflation driven funding deficit created in the current spending review.”

Professor Sir Peter Knight, President of the Institute of Physics, said:

“For Britain to be Europe’s centre for technological innovation, science-based businesses must be at the heart of the UK’s economic recovery.

“From the £100 million announced to support investment in major new research facilities to a tax system which better rewards the registration of intellectual property, and the introduction of more appropriately targeted R & D tax credits, it does seem that the Government is keen to address many concerns that science-based business leaders have.

“We welcome the Government’s ambition to spur economic growth through the science and technology bases, and commend the steps already taken, but continue to encourage them to be more ambitious.

“To be scientific and technological leaders in Europe, yes, we need a tax system that rewards innovation but we also need a long-term commitment to greater investment in basic science.

“Our investment in science lags proportionately behind Germany’s, America’s and China’s. For us to ensure our place at the top table, the Government must show its hand with more confidence.”

Research Councils UK (RCUK), said:

“Research Councils UK (RCUK) is pleased to welcome the new £100 million investment in research capital for universities announced by the Chancellor George Osborne during his budget today (21 March). The funding, to be administered by HEFCE, will be dedicated to large capital projects which lever significant private investment, such as joint research facilities.

“This funding is a boost to UK research, which has seen reductions to capital budgets, as it will help accelerate private sector investment in research infrastructure. Investment in the research base is essential to stimulating growth and this new funding acknowledges how vital research is to the economic prosperity and societal wellbeing of the UK.

“RCUK activity encourages and facilitates partnerships between the private sector and researchers in UK universities through collaborative funding, knowledge transfer initiatives and by providing access to world-class facilities.”

Imran Khan, Director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:

“Today’s announcement is the latest in a string of pledges of extra cash for science and engineering, and shows that the Government does understand that we cannot have a rebalanced economy without investment in research.

“I suspect the Government realises that the multi-billion pound, 50% cut made to research capital in 2010 simply is not sustainable. Despite difficult times they are trying to put it right, and it is not going unnoticed.

“However, simply reversing cuts isn’t going to be a game-changer for the UK. We need to be far more ambitious if we’re serious about having a high-tech future. The Chancellor should re-invest the windfall from the auction of 4G mobile spectrum, due later this year, into science and engineering.

“In his budget statement the Chancellor noted that countries like China are powering ahead in the global economy, and lamented our export record in comparison to Germany’s. He must see it is no accident that both of these nations are planning big increases in their research and education investment.”

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said:

“The chancellor opened his budget speech with a promise to support industries among which he included science. He has announced £160 million of investment in research and development at universities and the aerospace industry, there was talk of tax breaks for research and development and for universities looking to turn their science into businesses.

“These things are very welcome but on their own they are only green shoots. In the UK, the Government and industry still invest a smaller percentage of our GDP in research and development than our competitor economies and while that remains the case we will not fulfil the Chancellor’s goal of making the UK into Europe’s technology centre.

“If we want science to improve our situation we must think bigger than our competitors in investing in the full range of science and innovation from discovery, through development and on to application.”