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Experts respond to the announcement of Chris McDonald as Minister for Science.
Professor Rachel K. O’Reilly MBE FRS, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) and Professor of Polymer Science at the University of Birmingham said:
“I warmly welcome Chris McDonald MP taking the lead for UK science in this new government. Chris’s support and passion for science was evident when he visited the West Midlands in January to open a rare earth magnet recycling facility based on processes developed by researchers at the University of Birmingham. He has championed the role that science plays at the heart of our prosperity as a country, and we look forward to working with him and the new Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade to promote and capture the benefits of science for all.”
“As a chemical engineer by training and with an industrial research career outside of Westminster, I am confident that Chris will continue to be a figurehead for the critical role that science will play in the future UK industrial strategy, exemplified by projects like Birmingham’s world-leading work recycling essential minerals for the technologies that the UK increasingly relies upon.”
Dr Mark Effingham, Deputy CEO at UK Biobank, said:
“UK Biobank welcomes Chris McDonald MP’s appointment as a minister in both DHSC and the newly formed DBIST. He brings 20 years of scientific industry experience to the role and a first-hand understanding of the UK science and technology sector’s vital role in driving regional and national economic growth.
“As the world’s most comprehensive health research dataset, we look forward to working with him to strengthen the UK’s global reputation for science and research. Continued investment in science, alongside stronger collaboration between academia, industry and the NHS, will be essential to unlocking innovation, driving economic growth and maintaining the UK’s position as a global science superpower. Together, we can help deliver better health outcomes and prosperity in every postcode of the UK.”
Professor Sir Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:
“We congratulate Chris McDonald on his appointment as Minister of State for Science. At a time when government is rightly focused on growth, productivity and opportunity, science and innovation should be central to the national conversation. Medical science is not only a source of discovery and investment; it is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve health, tackle economic inactivity and strengthen local economies.
“Too often, health policy, science policy, skills policy and economic policy are treated as separate agendas. In reality, they are increasingly inseparable. The joint Ministerial role spanning DBSIT and DHSC is a very encouraging move. Realising the full potential of research and innovation will also require close partnership with HM Treasury and the Department for Education so that research, innovation and skills development work together to deliver better health, growth and greater prosperity across the UK.
“The UK starts from a position of considerable strength. We look forward to working with the new Minister to ensure that our world-class science base is translated into tangible benefits for patients, communities and the nation as a whole.”
Chris Molloy, CEO of the BioIndustry Association (BIA), said:
“We welcome the appointment of Chris McDonald MP as Minister of State across both the Health Department and the new Department for Business, Science, Innovation and Trade. Joint ministerial roles spanning health and business are vital for maintaining alignment across the UK life sciences ecosystem, and crucially ensuring the NHS is an active partner in innovation and economic growth to benefit patients and citizens across the UK.
“Chris is attuned to our innovative life sciences and biotech industry’s needs. FUJIFILM Biotechnologies is a major employer and medicines manufacturer in his Stockton-on-Tees constituency, so he also knows the regional impact our sector has across the country and how it can contribute to Andy Burnham’s mission as Prime Minister. We look forward to working with him further on these areas as government and industry partner to deliver the Life Sciences Sector Plan.”
Beth Thompson, Executive Director for Policy & Partnerships at Wellcome, said:
“We look forward to working with Jonathan Reynolds as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Chris McDonald as Science Minister.
“Being serious about improving people’s lives means being serious about science. Harnessing the full power of science is critical to achieving the aims of this – and any – government. It is a sector in which the UK has enormous heritage and potential, providing the foundation for breakthroughs in health, technology and engineering. Research commissioned by Wellcome shows that, even in this challenging economic environment, science and innovation remain a strong source of hope amongst the British public.
“To make the most of this opportunity, the new Department for Business, Science and Innovation and Trade must build on DSIT’s legacy. There are benefits to merging the departments, but science cannot be relegated to only serving the needs of business. DBIST must use the full strength of the UK’s science sector so it serves all corners of society. The new Science Minister’s joint role across DBIST and DHSC provides exactly this opportunity, ensuring cutting-edge science can drive the NHS to deliver the best outcomes for patients.
“While recognising difficult decisions to be made, it’s clear that a focus on short-term growth must not compromise long-term investment in curiosity-driven research if we are to cement the UK’s reputation as the global partner of choice for R&D.”
* Labour business relations account on LinkedIn.
Declared interests
The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.