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The speech lays out government commitments on several fronts, including investment in research and the important contribution of science to the UK economy.
Professor Ian Diamond, Chair of Research Councils UK, said:
“We welcome the commitment the Prime Minister has made to investment in science as a national priority. We wholeheartedly endorse his recognition that British science is leading-edge and, as such, needs sustained support across the research base to deliver world-class results.
“Research Councils UK fund excellent research with outcomes that guarantee our international reputation. Through our international offices in the US, India and China, we are constantly building links with important economies and research communities. As the Prime Minister has said, these connections will help us build on our strengths and emerge from the downturn in the strongest possible position.
“Our knowledge transfer activities are ideally placed to help the research community engage with the business sector and we welcome Lord Drayson’s focus on extra support for the companies which have been born out of these partnerships.
“Working together, we can make the next decade deliver social and economic benefits for the UK which will ensure that Britain remains at the top of the knowledge economy.”
Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, said:
“Science has the potential to help solve some of the great problems facing us and to help drive the economy out of recession. At a time of great economic uncertainty it is reassuring that the Prime minister is maintaining his long held commitment to science.
“Maintaining current investment is a good place to start but we must also look to see where we can put more money in to capitalise on our world leading science in areas such as energy. If we fail to deliver extra investment in the areas where we have a strong competitive advantage, other countries will overtake us and reap the long term economic benefits.
“The school children of today should be the scientists of the future, but too many are missing out on the specialist teachers who have the knowledge to be able to inspire young minds. We are delighted that the Prime Minister has thrown his support behind plans to address the lack of specialist teachers in science and maths.”
Prof Brian Cox, Professor of Physics, University of Manchester, said:
“Gordon Brown has eloquently made the case for turning the UK into the best place in the world to do science. This is most definitely an ambition that could be realised since the amounts of money spent on science are relatively small; the entire UK science budget, including physics, chemistry, engineering, environmental and medical research, is £3.4 billion per year. One immediate problem which could be quickly dealt with is the ongoing crisis at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) which funds large parts of the UK’s physics research. STFC has overseen a tragically comedic trouncing of the UK’s reputation as a reliable partner in many international research projects and is currently imposing a 25% cut in University research funding in key areas of Astronomy, Particle and Nuclear Physics. There is also a challenging funding environment in the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); together these two organisations account for the bulk of research funding in University Physics Departments across the UK. What better way for the Prime Minister to signal his intent than to personally sort out the mess that STFC has been in since its botched formation in 2007 and help both organisations with their small but damaging funding problems. It wouldn’t take much, and would be a clear signal of intent, both nationally and internationally.”
Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said:
“It is very encouraging that the Government is seeking to strengthen its commitment to science and innovation in this period of economic downturn.
“The future prosperity of the UK is dependent on a vibrant and innovative research base. Gordon Brown’s focus on the importance of science teaching and maintaining a powerful research endeavour should ensure that future generations of great British scientists are able to improve both the health and wealth of the nation.”
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, said:
“I am delighted the Prime Minister has re-affirmed his strong support for science. UK science is a global success story, punching way above its weight not just in terms of the knowledge it produces, but in economic, health and social benefits. Investment in science is vital, not only to sustain the country in a downturn, but to provide the footholds for our recovery in the future.
“The Medical Research Council has massively increased its investment to speed up the pace of discovery, particularly in the areas of regenerative medicine and public health, and convert the work of scientists into treatments as quickly as possible. Our success depends on sustained investment in basic research which has consistently delivered. By investing in excellent research the MRC is able to ensure high returns for the public, both in terms of their health and the wealth of the country. We have a duty to maintain the competitiveness of UK medical research; it will provide the jobs and treatments of tomorrow.
“The Prime Minister has also recognised that human capital is science’s most important asset. Support for both science and scientists over a long period of time puts the UK in a strong position, and he is right to task us with ensuring that we retain a competitive science base for the future.”
Nick Dusic, Director of the Campaign for Science & Engineering, said:
“Just maintaining current spending commitments will mean that we are losing ground against countries, like the US, that are giving science a huge boost within their stimulus packages. The government has got the UK back in the race to be a world leader in science, but unless it keeps pace we will lose talent and investment to other countries that are following up fine words with hard cash.
“The government’s 90% target for triple science does not go far enough. Every able student should have the right to study separate biology, chemistry and physics GCSEs. The fact that only 2% of students on free school meals currently do so means that the government is not giving all kids a fair shot at a career in science.”
Philip Greenish, CEO, the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“The Prime Minister recognises the importance of science in the service of humanity – and that is what engineering does, by creating science-based solutions to the problems facing mankind. But, as a nation, we urgently need to find ways to encourage more young people to keep up their science and maths so that they can take up a career in engineering. As tomorrow’s engineers, they will turn cutting edge science into brilliant innovation that will make the world a better place.”
Simon Denegri, CEO, Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), said:
“Medical research charities share the Prime Minister’s passion and conviction for driving forward science for the benefit of patients and public health and for promoting a positive debate about the opportunities it provides. Every day we see the public make a personal investment in research, either through donations to medical research charities or by participating in clinical trials. Supporting and sustaining this active public engagement will remain an important foundation for realising the UK’s future potential in research.”
Paul Jackson, CEO, Engineering and Technology Board, said:
“The ETB welcomes the Prime Minister’s recognition of the vital role science and engineering are set to play in Britain’s economic recovery, but recent ETB research reveals that 55% of careers advisors, teachers and lecturers incorrectly believe that a degree is the only route into engineering. In order to secure economic prosperity and meet global challenges in the long term, Government, business and industry, and the wider STEM community must work together to dispel this myth, and help support education professionals in providing accurate, engaging careers information on the many routes into engineering from apprenticeships to degrees.”