By Tiffany Stecker
Former science ministers from Labour and Conservative parties have put aside political differences to urge the incoming Government to support science funding.
Lord David Sainsbury, who served as science minister under PM Tony Blair’s Labour Government, and Tory Lord William Waldegrave, who worked under PM Margaret Thatcher, made the joint announcement at the launch of a Royal Society report on the importance of innovation.
Investment in science is needed
The two former ministers sat on the advisory group of the Royal Society that released the publication. The group began working on the report last April.
“Times are tough at the moment but that is exactly when you need to invest in the future and focus spending where you already have an advantage. Investment in science cannot be turned on and off on a political whim – we must have a long-term investment,” Lord Waldegrave said.
The report was written as a response to increased spending in R&D abroad. The US pledged $21 billion to boost science last year. In France, €35 billion has been invested for the “knowledge economy,” and China has given almost 25 per cent to R&D investment, year on year.
“We cannot compete with countries such as China and India on the basis of low wages,” Lord Sainsbury said. “Science and innovation must, therefore, be the basis of the strategy for growth,” he added.
Titled “The Scientific Century: Securing our Future Prosperity,” it identified six recommendations for future science policy: to recognise science as a crucial element for economic growth; to invest in doctoral studies and research councils; to increase resources within Government business and science departments; to place the UK as a centre for international science research and exchanges; to align scientific research with public and commercial needs; and to bring new life into science and maths education.
According to the report, the UK currently contributes to 3 per cent of global funding for research and to almost 8 per cent of scientific research papers in the world.