As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, and a former Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation I have today written to the Chancellor to stress the importance of R&D in growing the economy and tackling the big challenges we face in society. I am deeply concerned by recent reports that the Chancellor is planning on a below inflation R&D “cut”, and want to endorse the concerns expressed by so many leaders in UK R+D led by the Campaign for Science and Engineering.
I have requested a meeting with the Chancellor and hope that she will commit to fully funding R&D so that the new Government can continue to fuel economic growth, boost productivity, enabling researchers to drive the high-skill sectors and cutting-edge technologies that can unlock a new generation of prosperity and opportunity all round the UK.
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