Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation (): I am repeating the
following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other
place by my Noble Friend, the Minister for AI and Intellectual
Property, :
Creativity and innovation fuel investment and growth in the UK
economy. The Government aims to strengthen the UK's place as a
global leader in science and technology and is backing the UK's
most exciting technologies and sectors of the future. We are
boosting investment in innovation, working together with
industry, and providing the right conditions to grow our economy,
create high-quality jobs, and benefit society.
The role of intellectual property (IP) remains crucial to
achieving our ambition and increasing investment in science and
technology. It encourages and incentivises the UK to innovate and
gives individuals, businesses, and organisations the confidence
to create new ideas, products, and technologies, knowing their IP
can be protected. Our society, economy, and environment will
benefit from their work and endeavours, and we are backing them
to succeed and grow.
We are experiencing a period of rapid technological and
scientific change. The pace is accelerating and driving a
remarkable new era for the world. That is why we must continue to
build on the UK's strengths in AI, quantum, fintech, life
sciences, and clean energy technology because advances in these
areas will make a real difference to our economy and public
services.
For the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), this backdrop
represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Its response and
the IP system need to keep pace with the operating environment
and the expectations of those protecting their IP and using its
services.
We are moving to a world where the operations of firms, and their
supply chains are heavily internationalised, and our approach
must reflect this. Through effective collaboration, the UK is
shaping the IP system internationally and ensuring the UK's
rights granting services remain competitive.
I am pleased to support the IPO's strategy for the next three
years, which sets out its clear mission to help grow the economy
by providing an IP system that encourages investment in
creativity and innovation. The IPO Corporate Plan 2024/25
document outlines a clear plan for this financial year. As an
executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and
Technology, the IPO has set priorities which are agreed by
ministers.
I am pleased that today I can inform the House that my priorities
for the IPO in 2024/25 are to:
- launch the One IPO customer account & new online IP
search tool for all patent customers;
- achieve an average overall customer satisfaction of 85% or
more; and
- achieve efficiencies worth at least 3.5% of its core
operating costs.
The IPO has strong plans in place, which I am confident will
contribute towards economic growth and enable the UK to maximise
the opportunities in science, technology, and innovation.
