Willets confirms importance of scientific research to economy

Added on : 14 July 2010
Filed under : Patents, Designs & Copyright

With the new coalition government up, running and making significant decisions about the future of the UK’s economy, those involved in scientific research have been hoping that there will be further support for R&D. In his first major science speech at the Royal Institution, the Science Minister, David Willets, declared that he was optimistic about science and confirmed that research was important to the UK’s economic growth and that companies and universities should be given the space they need in order to pursue innovation.

Without giving an indication of the amounts that might be available for future spending, Willets said that counting patents and micro-managing universities was not the way forward and that the results of a spending review would affect the future funding of scientific research projects. So, the scientific community can be reassured that the government believes in their potential to contribute to economic growth, but can’t yet rely on the funding they may need to carry their research projects forward into product development or to commission further research.

With other EU countries, Canada and the USA continuing to increase funding into scientific R&D, those involved in research, development and patents will continue to watch the government’s progress, in the hope that it will follow suit, keeping the UK competitive and therefore attractive for science and technology investment.

Sources: bbc.co.uk; bis.gov.uk


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