Nesta has welcomed the recommendations of the Science and Technology Committee inquiry into UK research and development spending.
Nesta in particular:
Nesta’s written and oral evidence is cited throughout the Committee’s report, including within its recommendations.
Jen Rae, Nesta’s Head of UK Innovation Policy, said:
“As shown in Nesta’s biomedical bubble report, for many years UK R&D spending has prioritised biomedical research but as funding has grown, the productivity of that investment has declined. It’s great to see the Committee recognise this as a ‘compelling’ case for UKRI to re-consider the balance of R&D funding across research disciplines and geography.
“The Committee’s recommendation to significantly expand the Strength in Places Fund is also welcome. The current fund has been a start but much more is needed to really support those areas who have the potential to provide research and innovation excellence in the future. This means additional funding but we think it’s time to go further - to consider devolving parts of the Government’s R&D budget to cities and regions to allow them to best support their regional research and innovation strengths.
“One answer to this geographical imbalance of R&D has also been recognised by the Committee: organisations such as UKRI should be investing in new data techniques and analysis to build a much more nuanced, accurate and timely picture of research and innovation ‘excellence’ throughout the UK. Nesta has been experimenting with these innovation mapping tools in Wales and Scotland, and for sectors such as the immersive economy and AI. We think they can play a vital part in reshaping investment to support emerging industries and parts of the country where it can have the greatest effect.”
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Press contact - Will Hoyles, 07812 362714, 020 7438 2543, [email protected]
Greg Falconer, Nesta’s Director of Innoation Policy and Jen Rae, Head of UK Innovation Policy, are London-based and available for interview.
The Science and Technology report of their enquiry ‘Balance and effectiveness of research and innovation spending’ is available here - https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmsctech/1453/145302.htm
Nesta’s submission to the enquiry can be found here - http://data.parliament.uk/WrittenEvidence/CommitteeEvidence.svc/EvidenceDocument/Science%20and%20Technology/Balance%20and%20effectiveness%20of%20research%20and%20innovation%20spending/written/91239.html and http://data.parliament.uk/WrittenEvidence/CommitteeEvidence.svc/EvidenceDocument/Science%20and%20Technology/Balance%20and%20effectiveness%20of%20research%20and%20innovation%20spending/written/94994.html