UK scientists welcome 2007 budget
Scientists have given a warm welcome to the 2007 UK budget, presented by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown on 21 March. 'My view is that in all advanced economies, public and private investment in the great new drivers of growth, innovation and education, will need to rise towards 10% of national income,' Mr Brown told the House of Commons. He then went on to announce that public investment in science will rise by 25% by 2010-2011, from GBP 5 billion (€7.4 billion) to GBP 6.3 billion (€9.3 billion). An extra GBP 100 million (€147 million) will go to the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to support collaborative research between academia and industry. The TSB will also take on a broader role, stimulating business innovation in areas with the most potential for boosting growth and productivity. The GBP 100 million will be divided between advanced manufacturing projects to boost competitiveness and sustainability in sectors such as aerospace, vehicles and energy (GBP 40 million); energy technologies, both renewable low-carbon options and hydrocarbon reserves (GBP 15 million); lightweight materials (GBP 15 million); plastic electronics (GBP 5 million); areas of medicine that bring together materials, nanotechnology, tissue engineering and surgical/clinical science (GBP 7 million); and information and communication technologies (GBP 8 million). 'It is wonderful news that the Chancellor has given such a positive message of support for the UK research base,' said Professor Ian Diamond, speaking on behalf of Research Councils UK. 'UK research and researchers are world class, and the research councils are committed to maintaining this excellence and maximising the impact that research has on the economic development and quality of life of the people of the UK and beyond.' The announcements were particularly welcome given the recent cut to the budgets of the UK's research councils by the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI). Mr Brown's budget 'will provide reassurance and longer term stability for funding in the science community', said President of the Royal Society Martin Rees. 'Research Council funding plays a crucial part in sustaining the university system and the quality of this system must be sustained,' he added. A new tax credit scheme for research and development has also been welcomed. 'If the UK's economy is to succeed in the coming years and decades, we need to ensure that this country is seen by science and engineering-based business as an attractive and competitive place to come,' said Director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK (CaSE), Peter Cotgreave. 'That means competitive tax rates and a world-beating science base.'
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