CaSE MP Welcome Pack
02 September 2024
CaSE has sent a personalised welcome letter and pack to each Westminster MP to encourage them to start a conversation about what R&D means for their constituency and the wider UK.
Explore the content we sent them, or download an example booklet.
70% of the UK public would support their MP campaigning for more Research & Development jobs in their area
This pack was produced by the Campaign for Science and Engineering and sponsored by the University of Strathclyde
Help R&D to thrive in your constituency
Dr Alicia Greated
Executive Director, CaSE
Congratulations on your success in the General Election. Over the last few months, I’m sure you have been thinking about the political platform from which to represent your constituents and the nation.
This booklet sets out why Research and Development (R&D) should be a part of that plan.
How can the Campaign for Science and Engineering help you?
CaSE provides impartial expert advice to decision-makers about the role R&D can play in solving the problems facing people in your constituency, across the UK, and around the world.
Investing in R&D creates new jobs and future industries, new educational opportunities, and the economic growth that will pay for our public services.
As an independent charity, with a membership spanning the breadth of the R&D sector, CaSE advocates for the policy outcomes that can help R&D improve the lives and livelihoods of people across the UK.
I invite you to explore the ideas and evidence within this booklet and meet with me to discuss how you can become an R&D champion for your constituents and the nation.
Alicia Greated
Executive Director
Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)
Introducing CaSE and R&D
Research and Development (R&D) is the gathering of knowledge to understand the world around us, to solve problems, and to create new products and services.
Established almost 40 years ago, the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) is the UK’s leading independent advocate for R&D.
We advocate for policy decisions that can help R&D thrive and deliver benefits to the lives and livelihoods of people across the UK.
As a membership-based charity, we represent over 110 scientific organisations including businesses, universities, professional bodies and research charities, as well as individual scientists and engineers.
We work closely with our members to produce evidence-led reports, briefings and statistics.
We also explore the public’s perceptions of R&D and have conducted a series of nationally-representative polls, totalling more than 25,000 people across the UK. This data allows us to explore public opinions in your constituency and we’ve included some of those figures in this booklet.
Where R&D happens
NHS
Universities
Industry
Schools
Charities
The public think that…
CaSE has polled over 25,000 people in nationally representative surveys, to understand public opinions towards R&D
CaSE Public Attitudes to R&D 2022-23
R&D investment is important
70% of respondents to our opinion polling think it’s important for the Government to invest in R&D.
R&D should be a priority for politicians of all parties
Regardless of which way they vote, most people want to see politicians pay more attention to science and innovation and prioritise funding research.
R&D can bring regional benefits
More than half of our respondents say they want their regions to host more R&D, citing local jobs and inward investment.
R&D is an asset to communities
More than two-thirds would support an R&D lab being built in their local area or high street, saying it would bring well-paid jobs and benefits to the local economy.
R&D is relevant to public concerns
People in the UK feel R&D is essential to tackling climate change, the quality of the NHS and the cost of living.
Independent policy analysis from CaSE
At CaSE, we work with our members and the wider R&D community to produce evidence-led, practical policy reports on key topics affecting the sector. Some recent highlights are outlined below.
Universities: A crucial component of UK R&D
Universities are a crucial component of the R&D system but are facing substantial financial shortfalls in both public and charitable R&D funding.
This briefing highlights themes and case studies on the value that university R&D brings to the UK.
Backing Business R&D
Boosting business R&D investment is vital if the UK is to increase research intensity and the prosperity this can generate.
This report highlights the barriers that UK businesses face when investing in R&D, with recommendations for the UK Government that will help make the UK an attractive environment for R&D-led businesses.
The Skills Opportunity
This report sets out the challenges for education and skills provision across the UK, with recommendations that could support high quality education and skills provision to build a more innovative economy.
Become a champion for R&D
In your constituency
Engage with research organisations in your area to see R&D in action – we can put you in touch with local R&D businesses, research centres or universities.
Speak to local residents and start a conversation about what R&D means for your area
In Parliament
Urge the Government to take four actions that can support the growth of the R&D sector:
1. Work with the sector to develop plans for 10-year funding
2. Mitigate the impact of financial pressures on universities
3. Attract international talent by taking action to tackle high visa costs
4. Collaborate with business to drive investment in R&D.
How R&D is improving lives and livelihoods across the UK
Here you can find examples of R&D being carried out around the UK by CaSE members and the wider sector.
(We will be adding more case studies to this section over the coming weeks)
Related resources
CaSE responds to the 2024 Autumn Budget
31 October 2024
In the first Labour Government budget for 14 years, Chancellor Rachel Reeves made a series of announcements as part of the Autumn Budget 2024. Below we delve into some of the measures impacting R&D.
Times letter: Science budget cuts
21 October 2024
CaSE and the Science Media Centre coordinated a letter to The Times from eminent figures in UK researcher and development expressing concerns about potential cuts to the R&D budget.
Sector calls on the Government to protect R&D funds in the autumn budget
18 October 2024
CaSE has published a joint letter with other R&D organisations, calling on the Chancellor to use the upcoming autumn budget to commit to continued investment in R&D.
100 Day Plan for R&D – where are we now?
14 October 2024
The 12th October marked 100 days since the new Government came to office. Here we take a look at progress to date against CaSE’s 100 day plan for how the Government could support the R&D sector and unlock its potential for economic growth.