Academy response to Labour’s Plan for Science consultation (2014)

In August 2014 the Academy responded to the Labour Party’s consultation on their Plan for Science.

The Academy recommends a flexible long-term strategy for science that enables the UK to address future challenges. Our response, which is available to download, identifies a number of key points:

• The UK currently has a world-class research ecosystem, which should be supported and strengthened.
• A long-term strategy for science would bring stability that will help the UK to attract investors and retain talent.
• Investment in research has long-term economic and social benefits, generating prosperity for the UK.
• The ring-fenced science budget should be protected, and the UK should increase investment in research and innovation to match its international competitors.
• The UK can increase the efficiency of its research in a number of ways, including building better connections between academia, industry and the NHS.