November 9, 2012

reaction to the Chancellor’s speech at the Royal Society

At a speech at the Royal Society in London Chancellor George Osborne announced an increased spending on space technology by £60m per year over the next two years.

Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said:

“It is encouraging to hear the Chancellor talk about the importance of science with such enthusiasm. It is particularly gratifying that he acknowledges the parallel importance of curiosity-led and applied research, and the need for continued investment in science even in times of fiscal restraint.

“Maintaining a world class infrastructure will be essential to delivering the Chancellor’s vision.  We are delighted that Research Councils UK has set out a strategic framework that will allow better prioritisation of this essential investment, and that rightly recognises the need to back initial capital spending with ongoing operational support.”

Sir John Parker GBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“I am delighted to hear such public support from the Chancellor for investment in science, engineering and technology at this critical time for our economy. The specific areas he has highlighted – computing, synthetic biology, agricultural science, regenerative medicine, energy storage, nanotechnology, robotics and space – have huge potential for growth. This country is already a leader in some of these areas where top class scientific research is underpinned by world-beating UK engineering.

“Government can help the transition of great ideas from lab to market by creating a business investment-friendly environment that gives companies – and their supply chains – the confidence and incentives to invest in creating world leading products and services.”

President of the Royal Society, Paul Nurse, said:

“I am delighted to hear the Chancellor’s encouraging words on the place of science in driving a modern dynamic economy and his commitment to doing more for science in the future.  Only if we take a long term view will we be able to build an ecosystem that creates knowledge, develops it and turns it into a commodity that people will pay for.  We look forward to working with the Treasury to be certain that science continues to get the support it needs to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of technology and innovation.”

Lord Willis, Chair of AMRC and Member of House of Lords ST Committee, said:

“To listen to a well informed and pro-active speech from the Chancellor is warmly welcomed. The challenge now is to back his eight technology transfer priorities with significant new resources otherwise we will fail to meet the challenges he has rightly identified.” 

On the RCUK Framework that was announced this morning, Professor Rick Rylance, Chair of Research Councils UK, said:

“Economic pressures have led to a reduction in capital funding for research and, critically, the removal of this funding from the Science Budget’s ringfence. However, the need for investment in capital and infrastructure projects has not diminished; in fact, it is more crucial than ever. The rate of technological advance is accelerating and our researchers need the very best facilities to deliver the excellent research needed for economic growth.

“RCUK has responded to this challenge, and the Framework will enable the Research Councils to make strategic capital investment decisions to retain, foster and develop our national capability and continue to lead in global science and research.”

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

“It’s really encouraging to see the Chancellor taking a personal interest in British science and engineering. The commitment to new spending on scientific infrastructure is important, as is the new framework for capital investment, as part of the UK’s push to be a modern, high-tech economy.”

“We hope that George Osborne carries on and turns this commitment into a sustainable, long-term one, along with addressing the cut that inflation has made in the ‘flat cash’ settlement. Using the £4bn revenue from the forthcoming 4G spectrum auction provides the perfect opportunity to do this, as we and Nesta have called for in our 4Growth report.”