General Election Hub

The next Government must commit to using research and innovation as the route to improving people’s lives and livelihoods in the UK
Investing in research and innovation helps us solve the problems facing people in the UK, and across the world. This investment improves people’s lives and livelihoods, creating new jobs and future industries, new educational opportunities, and the economic growth that will pay for our local and public services and strengthen our communities.
It supports people working in universities and businesses across the country, helping them tackle climate change, develop new medical treatments, and come up with energy-saving inventions.
CaSE calls on the next Government to commit to invest in Research and Innovation (R&I) for the long-term, support the skills the UK needs, maximise the local economic impact of that investment and support the environment for business R&I.
Commit to a long-term plan for investment in R&I
There should be continued long-term Government commitment to increase funding for R&I. A stable and predictable plan, supported by sustained investment, is vital to help research and innovation thrive in a way to drive economic growth and prosperity across the UK. It gives businesses confidence to keep on investing in R&I. In a globally competitive research landscape, the UK must look to secure its place among leading science nations. This includes securing full participation to Horizon Europe.
Support skills for science and engineering
The Government and devolved administrations must support the skills needed to deliver a more R&I-led UK. Wider skills provision is needed to meet the requirements of an R&I-led economy and ensure that everyone can participate in and benefit from a more innovative UK. This requires coordinating and supporting an integrated skills system, including science teaching in school, higher education and further education, and reskilling and upskilling the existing workforce. It is also critical that the immigration and visa system, and associated costs, do not act as a barrier to attracting international talent to the UK.
Build on regional R&I strengths
Maximise the local economic impact of greater R&I intensity across the UK. Investing in regional R&I can play a significant role in delivering a more research and innovation intensive UK and creating opportunities for new jobs and industries across all parts of the UK. Central and local government must work together to improve coordination between local needs and overarching national priorities for science and engineering.
Support business R&I investment
Make the UK an attractive and competitive environment for businesses to invest in R&I. Stable and predictable policy commitments are vital to give businesses the confidence to keep on investing in R&I. This needs to be accompanied by a robust framework of support and incentives for innovation.
CaSE at the 2023 Party Conferences
Ahead of an expected General Election next year, this year’s party conferences were particularly interesting. CaSE shares insights from the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences and some of the messages that emerged for research and innovation.
CaSE attended

23rd-26th September
Bournemouth

1st-4th October
Manchester

8th-11th October
Liverpool
Work with CaSE
If you would like to know more about CaSE’s General Election work, or get involved, please contact us by email or the submit an enquiry here:
election@sciencecampaign.org.uk

MPs To Watch
CaSE maintains a list of MPs with an interest in science and engineering. You can also find members of key committees and departments.
We will update the lists over the course of the next General Election.

Political Engagement
Discover our wider Political Engagement work and see how we have been advocating for science and engineering to policy makers.