CaSE submission – Building our industrial strategy

Our response to the Government’s consultation on the new industrial strategy.

The Government’s commitment to creating an industrial strategy has been widely welcomed across our membership. This response draws on wide consultation with our members across the UK and from industry, academia, research charities, and further education.

A major factor influencing the context within which an industrial strategy is developed is of course the UK’s vote to leave the EU. However, we were pleased that the Prime Minister voiced her government’s commitment “to ensuring a positive outcome for UK science as we exit the European Union”. This will not only require a positive outcome in the negotiations but must be complemented by a positive domestic policy environment, in which the industrial strategy could be a shining light for science and engineering.

The industrial strategy must be a powerful tool for mitigating some of the anticipated challenges presented by Brexit and helping to ensure that the UK remains an attractive and world-leading place for science and innovation.

This response looks at the following areas:

Vision

Evaluation

Stability and predictability

From the 10 pillars:

• Developing skills
  
  
• Investing in science, research and innovation
  
  
• Driving growth across the whole country
  
  
• Encouraging trade and inward investment
  
  
• Improving procurement