Science or stagnation?: Next steps for life sciences policy in England

Article

The UK lags behind global leaders on R&D investment.

This is despite a recent, sudden ONS methodological change significantly revising up estimates of UK research investment, more through luck than judgement. Stagnation in the UK economy demands a more research- and innovation-intensive economy.

As such, we need a new, stretching R&D investment target. In recommitting the UK to global leadership on research, there is a particular opportunity to prioritise the life sciences.

Doing better requires a more ‘activist’ government – with a role in enabling, funding and deriving value from life science research and innovation.

Related items

  1. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, River Thames and Westminster Bridge

    Taxing choices: Taking the public’s temperature ahead of the budget

    The stakes for a government are rarely higher than at a budget. Every chancellor has dealt with this differently. Ken Clarke would draft his budget speech with cigars and whisky, Gordon Brown pored over every word in what officials called…
  2. Scottish parliament building at Holyrood and Calton Hill, Edinburgh

    Great expectations: Rejuvenating the national debate in Scotland

    Fresh IPPR Scotland polling shows that politicians must raise their game if next year’s election is a to be serious debate about the challenges facing Scotland and potential solutions. 
  3. A Black man in a bright orange high vis jacket and hard hat stands in the middle of a road holding a sign that says 'STOP - WORKS'

    Unfinished business: Redressing inequality in British policy and Black lives

    As conversations about race and equality continue to evolve, Black History Month remains a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and recommit to progress.