Reaction |
Development |
Positive |
• 2.4% target, including increasing public investment in R&D • Establishment of cabinet sub-committee and secretariat (NSTC and OSTS) • Effective network of Chief Scientific Advisers • Suggestion of a more strategic approach with metrics to measure progress • Intention to increase scientific expertise in the civil service • Some areas of policy reform identified to help achieve the 2.4% target |
Negative |
• Potential exclusion from Horizon, resulting in loss of collaboration and capacity • Cuts to Official Development Assistance budget • Frequent policy changes • Proliferation of sector-specific strategies • Additional layers of bureaucracy without clear reporting lines and accountability • Lack of engagement with industry on 2.4% target • Lack of output from Cabinet subcommittee and secretariat • 2.4% target is still behind comparable nations |
Queries |
• Absence of specific reforms to regulation, procurement, and tax credits • Lack of clarity about relationship between UKRI and department research • Lack of clear long-term commitment to R&D • Unclear how R&D targets fit into overall economic plan • Unclear how Government will overcome risk aversion in R&D investment |