CaSE submission to House of Lords Financing and Scaling UK Science and Technology Inquiry

CaSE’s response to the House of Lords Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee inquiry into: Financing and Scaling UK Science and Technology: Innovation, Investment, Industry

Summary

• The financial sustainability of the R&D system is vital to the future success of research and innovation in the UK. This includes financial sustainability, as well as the people and skills that underpin it. To deliver their role in the R&D ecosystem effectively, universities must be supported to achieve a sustainable financial model across both their teaching and research activities. Furthermore, to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for internationally mobile talent it is vital to have an internationally competitive visa system for skilled R&D workers.
• While R&D investment commitments from the UK Government are welcome and a good step in providing businesses with the certainty they need to invest, there has historically been instability and lack of predictability in the policy environment that supports innovation.
• Although the innovation environment has several promising and well-received policy measures, there are examples where insufficient resources and expertise are hindering implementation.