What has changed in the new Science and Technology Framework?

Earlier this week the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) released a new version of their Science and Technology Framework, the original having been first published in 2023 under the previous UK Government. The framework sets out 10 critical policy levers available to government to embed science and technology into decision-making.

Same structure, different purpose

The updated framework has kept the same overall shape and structure as the previous version, including the same critical policy levers:

1. Developing and deploying critical technologies
2. Signalling UK strengths and ambitions
3. Investment in research and development
4. Talent and skills
5. Financing innovative science and technology companies
6. Procurement
7. International opportunities
8. Research and innovation infrastructure (digital and physical)
9. Regulation and standards
10. Innovative public sector

It has also kept the same list of critical technologies for the UK:

• Advanced connectivity technologies (formerly called future telecoms)
• Artificial intelligence
• Engineering biology
• Quantum technologies
• Semiconductors

However, the new framework has a significantly different framing to the previous version and has fewer specific commitments. The previous framework was positioned as a strategic vision to make the UK a ‘Science and Technology Superpower’ by 2030 and it set out key actions for each policy lever and outcomes for 2030. It also designated a lead government department for each lever to develop cross-government action plans.

The new framework does not serve this second purpose as a long-term plan for UK science and technology and instead is set out as a tool to ensure science and technology are at the heart of the UK Government’s missions and Industrial Strategy. As a result, it does not contain the same level of detailed policy commitments and is not geared towards a particular timeframe.

There are also no mentions of lead government departments, and previous comments by Lord Vallance, the Science Minister, suggest that each lever should be considered across government, and not the remit of any individual department. These same comments also indicate that the framework should be viewed as a tool to guide other UK Government strategy, particularly the forthcoming Industrial Strategy, not a strategy itself.

What’s needed now?

Long-term policy stability is vital to ensure a thriving research and development (R&D) sector in the UK, so it is encouraging to see the UK Government reaffirming their commitment to the Science and Technology Framework with this new version. We would welcome a formal announcement of the Government’s commitment to the new framework and how they intend to use it, especially as it was published with no fanfare and without a ministerial foreword.

While removing the long-term planning aspect of the framework to streamline its role as a tool to embed science and technology in decision-making is not necessarily an issue, it is vital that this long-term vision is continued and built upon elsewhere by government. The forthcoming Spending Review and Industrial Strategy will be indicators of this and a chance for the UK Government to demonstrate its commitment to building a long-term plan to strengthen UK science and technology.