Jacob Rees-Mogg recently apologised to Dr David Nicholl after comparing him to Andrew Wakefield for suggesting that a No Deal … read more
The funding and results of studies into the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages is examined in a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal with the authors reporting that industry-funded studies were more likely to find no connection between the drinks and obesity or diabetes. read more
The Government’s Nuclear Industry Strategy was announced at the same time as a report from an ad hoc Nuclear R&D Advisory Board, under the leadership of Chief Scientist Sir John Beddington, which looked at the implications for R&D of a wide range of nuclear futures. read more
In 2012 the Government established an ad hoc Nuclear R&D Advisory Board, under the leadership of Chief Scientist Sir John Beddington, to look at the implications for R&D of a wide range of nuclear futures. The report set out a route to help the UK to return to the international “top table” in relation to nuclear research. read more
AstraZeneca announced a major restructuring with a substantial impact on its operations in the UK, including both job losses and investment for building new headquarters in Cambridge. read more
The government is proposing a minimum price of 45p per unit for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales. Public health campaigners will welcome such a move, while some industry groups and economic think tanks oppose it. But what does the evidence say? read more
GlaxoSmithKline Plc agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanour criminal charges in the US and pay $3 billion to settle. read more
The drug company Novartis decided to pursue legal action against the NHS for use of Avastin, a cheaper alternative to its drug Lucentis, to treat a common cause of vision loss. read more
The Department of Energy and Climate Change announced a £1bn incentive for the development of schemes to trap and bury carbon dioxide. read more
The energy companies RWE and E.On pulled out of a project for two new nuclear power plants, with implications for the future of energy provision in the UK. read more
The SMC collected comments in response to news that the UK and France signed a joint declaration that signalled a shared commitment to civil nuclear power, paving the way for new nuclear power plants in the UK. read more
The strategy addressed challenges relating to innovation in the UK and its contribution to economic growth. read more
The white paper from the Department of Energy and Climate Change sets out proposed reforms to the electricity supply market. read more
Steve Holliday, National Grid’s Chief Executive, delivered the Royal Academy of Engineering lecture ‘Power to the People’ on the evening of 1st March and the SMC invited him into the Centre to give his unique perspective on the challenge facing the energy industry as a whole, and answer journalists’ questions on how we can meet it in ways that are sustainable as well as affordable. read more
Dr Chas Bountra from Oxford University outlined his view of the pharmaceutical industry and the problems it faces, and his proposal for a new model. read more
Pfizer announced the closure of its R&D facility in Sandwich, Kent, where 2,400 people worked. read more
What will the aviation industry look like 30 years from now? Changing economic, political and environmental pressures are set to combine and could shape a very different future for aviation, and carbon rationing, oil availability, reduced disposable income, population growth and the public’s acceptance of air travel could all have an impact. Four provocative scenarios showing how UK aviation could look in 2040 have been set out in a new report published by the Institution of Civil Engineers which was launched at this briefing; the report argues that the debate on UK aviation should be reopened and the future development of airport infrastructure addressed. read more
Industrial biotechnology encompasses a huge number of applications both within industry and in our everyday lives, including bioplastics to prolong the shelf life of food, enzymes in washing powder for use at lower temperatures, production of insulin for diabetics, and refinement of bioethanol from factory waste. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team (IB-IGT), an independent body of experts from academia and industry established in November 2007, published their report to government this month, and key contributors presented their findings at the Science Media Centre. read more
The report, from the government’s Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills select committee, reports on the state of engineeering in the UK and its contribution to UK business and the economy. read more
The Government has announced its decision to go ahead with the expansion of Heathrow airport, to include a third runway and a new terminal. The announcement was accompanied by a range of new transport measures inckuding a new rail link. read more
