"Science and technology superpower": more than a slogan? Contents

Chapter 4: Key findings

Table 3: Summary of key findings

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





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