Science or stagnation?
Think tank: IPPR
Author(s): Shreya Nanda; Chris Thomas; George Dibb
October 27, 2022
This report from UK think tank IPPR looks at next steps for life sciences policy in England.
The UK lags behind global leaders on R&D investment. This is despite a recent, sudden ONS methodological change significantly revising up estimates of UK research investment, more through luck than judgement. Stagnation in the UK economy demands a more research- and innovation-intensive economy. As such, we need a new, stretching R&D investment target. In recommitting the UK to global leadership on research, there is a particular opportunity to prioritise the life sciences. Doing better requires a more ‘activist’ government – with a role in enabling, funding and deriving value from life science research and innovation.
