UK research and development strategy February 2021
Summary of contents
The UK research and development system has been highly agile and responsive to the emerging social, health and economic needs of the UK as we respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The crisis has highlighted successes but also exposed vulnerabilities in the UK research and innovation funding system. Research and development make substantial returns to the UK economy, hence long-term, transparent public investment in research and development will be central to recovering from the social, health and economic consequences of the pandemic and ensuring the UK is equipped to meet future challenges including moving to a more environmentally sustainable economy.
We call on the UK government to:
- Set out the pathway to the government’s target for increased public investment in R&D
- Use evidence from researchers to deliver fit-for-purpose R&D funding that brings solutions to global challenges and economic and social prosperity
- Work across departments to retain the people with the knowledge and skills that will enable a green economic recovery