- Prime Minister’s ambitions for science and research to be
driven forward by new ministerial council and Office for Science
and Technology Strategy
- New council to set strategy on how science and technology
will tackle great societal challenges and transform lives
- Plans set to build on the success of the best UK science
throughout the pandemic and beyond to cement UK’s position as a
science superpower
Prime Minister has unveiled plans today (Monday 21 June) to ensure
the UK’s world-leading science and ideas turn into solutions for
public good, as part of ambitions to become a global science
superpower.
A new National Science and Technology Council will be established
and chaired by the Prime Minister. It will provide strategic
direction on the use of science and technology as the tools to
tackle great societal challenges, level up across the country and
boost prosperity around the world.
The Prime Minister has also asked Chief Scientific Adviser Sir
to head up
a new Office for Science and Technology Strategy, based in the
Cabinet Office, and take up the role of the new National
Technology Adviser, alongside his current role as the
Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser and head of the Government
Office for Science.
The Office will support the ministerial council and the National
Technology Adviser to drive forward the strategy of Whitehall’s
science and technology priorities from the centre. It will
strengthen the government’s insight into cutting-edge research
and technologies and work across government to put science and
technology at the centre of policy and public services. The
Office will also identify what is needed to secure and protect
the capability in science and technology required in the UK to
deliver the Government’s ambitions.
The UK’s successful vaccine and therapeutics programmes has
proven how science can deliver real, meaningful benefit to the
British people and transform lives around the world, helping to
protect people from coronavirus and enable societies to reopen
again.
The Prime Minister is tasking the whole of government, working
with the new council and office, to take the success of the UK’s
approach to vaccines and apply it to other priorities – setting
bold visions, acting with speed, and taking risks, which can
bring high rewards and benefits to the UK, including in
developing technology to reach net zero, curing cancer and not
only treating it, and keeping our citizens safe at home and
abroad.
One of the first tasks of the Office for Science and Technology
Strategy will be to review the technology bets the UK should back
and prioritise for strategic advantage.
Prime Minister said:
“From discovery to delivery, our vaccination programme has proven
what the UK can achieve at scale and at speed.
“With the right direction, pace and backing, we can breathe life
into many more scientific and technological breakthroughs that
transform the lives of people across the UK and the world.
“That’s why I’m establishing a new ministerial council and office
at the centre of government, so we can realise the limitless
possibilities that research and technology has to offer and
cement the UK’s place as a global science superpower.”
Chief Scientific Adviser Sir
said:
“The new Office for Science and Technology Strategy will put
science and technology right at the heart of policy-making and
strengthen the way we work across government to reinforce the
position of the UK as a science superpower. I look forward to
working with the National Science and Technology Council to help
identify cutting-edge research and technologies that will deliver
strategic advantage for the UK”.
The government is currently investing £14.9bn in R&D in
2021-22, meaning Government R&D spending is now at its
highest level in real terms for four decades.
Notes to editors
The new Office for Science and Technology is in the process of
being set up, with civil servants already recruited.
