DEPARTMENT FOR
INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS News Release issued by The
Government News Network on 23 July 2007
The Department of
Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) today launched the
annual report on the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014.
The report finds that good progress has been made over the past
year in implementing the challenging 10-year vision.
Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson, welcomed the
report's positive trends.
"Our 10-year framework sets out a bold ambition for the
UK's development in science and innovation. This year we have
continued to make progress towards our key goals - increasing the
impact of science and innovation on the economy, creating a
climate where world-class science and technology can flourish and
working to boost graduate numbers.
"That said, there's no room for complacency. We have
tough challenges ahead to maintain our lead in an increasingly
competitive world. We must work hard to encourage more young
people to study science if we are to build a new generation of
highly-skilled professionals.
"Recent changes including the newly independent Technology
Strategy Board will create a stronger focus on innovation and help
us in partnership with business to aid the development of new
technologies to give Britain a leading edge."
Key highlights include:
* The UK remains second only to the US in global scientific
excellence, despite increasing international competition;
* Numbers of spin-outs, increasing licensing and consultancy
income indicate knowledge transfer and commercialisation
activities from the science base are showing a healthy upward trend.
* Increased capital expenditure is improving research
infrastructure in universities
* There has been an encouraging increase in the proportion of
young people reaching expected levels in mathematics and science,
and applications for science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) subjects at undergraduate level have also increased;
* Business investment in R&D is growing in real terms and is
keeping pace with GDP growth, though more rapid growth is needed
to meet the long-term ambitions set out in the ten-year framework.
* The Technology Strategy Board (TSB), which became an
arms-length body on 1 July 2007, will have an enhanced leadership
role in driving up future levels of UK innovation performance.
Science and innovation is now part of the new Department for
Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). The Department's
primary role will be to drive forward delivery of the
Government's long-term vision to make Britain one of the best
places in the world for science, research and innovation and to
raise the level of education and skills at every level in our
economy to give the UK a competitive edge.