The new Prime Minister has an opportunity to create a Science Superpower- here’s how they could do it

A cornerstone policy objective of the Boris Johnson administration has been the ambition for the UK to become a Global Science Superpower. Yet despite this, after three years in office, Johnson has been through as many science ministers, making a total of six changes to the minister for science since 2018. Moreover, since George Freeman’s resignation in early July, the UK has not had a science minister in post.

To truly fulfil the ambition of the UK becoming a Global Science Superpower, the next holder of the keys to No.10 must appoint a Secretary of State for Science and Technology to maximise the UK’s scientific potential and ensure UK science and technology sectors receive the funding they need.  

A recent report by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee[1] highlighted the urgent need for the Government to develop an implementation plan for its science superpower ambitions. Without such a plan, the report stated these ambitions risk becoming “empty slogans”. Further noted by the Committee, any cross-Government science strategy needs to recognise the importance of international collaborations and steps must be taken to rebuild the UK’s reputation as a partner e.g., through association to Horizon Europe. There is an opportunity for the UK to become a true global leader in science, but this must be grasped before we fall further behind countries such as the US, China and South Korea.

A Secretary of State for Science and Technology would be responsible for the delivery of the Government’s strategy and could work across Government and the research community to ensure funding is received and the strategy is delivered. This appointment would be a statement of intent by the next Prime Minister that the Science Superpower ambition has real substance and the UK is grasping the opportunity to lead the world in developing sectors such as synthetic biology and AI.

The position of science minister has most recently sat within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The creation of a Department for Science and Technology would alleviate the strain on an already inflated BEIS portfolio which spans from postal affairs to Net Zero. As the climate emergency becomes an increasing priority for the government, along with tackling the cost-of-living crisis, a Department for Science and Technology would allow BEIS to focus on these and other salient issues, whilst keeping science and innovation as a top Government priority.  

In the 2021 Spending Review, the Government set out plans to increase public investment in R&D to £20 billion by 2024-25 and £22 billion by 2026-27. It must be noted the Government previously had a commitment to increase R&D spending to £22 billion by 2024-25 – in line with the OECD average of 2.4% of GDP. A Secretary of State for Science and Technology would be able to directly engage with the Treasury and ensure public investment in R&D is on target and that Government puts its money where its mouth is. 

Both of the candidates in the Conservative Party Leadership contest have expressed commitment to furthering the UK’s Science Superpower ambitions. During the leadership contest, Rishi Sunak pledged to create a UK alternative to Horizon Europe. As Chancellor he announced investments including £800m into the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) and a £400m increase in budget for Innovate UK. Meanwhile during the leadership contest, Liz Truss tweeted[2] her desire to make it easier for firms to invest in Britain to create a Science Superpower. Ms Truss has also been a strong supporter of the vision for the Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor Cluster in her capacity as the MP for South West Norfolk and as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, she highlighted that it was science and technology that could increasingly drive the rural economy.

Whoever wins the race to No.10 needs to make a statement of intent when appointing their first cabinet and show their commitment to making the UK a Scientific Superpower by creating a Department for Science and Technology and appointing a Secretary of State who holds full responsibility for delivery of that vision. As George Freeman MP wrote in The Times in July[3] “This is a truly once-in-a-generation moment for Britain. If we put science, technology and innovation at the heart of our new economic model, we can drive jobs, growth and productivity.”

[1] https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5803/ldselect/ldsctech/47/4702.htm

[2] https://twitter.com/trussliz/status/1557437356315230208

[3] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rishi-sunak-would-unleash-a-new-age-of-innovation-gt87567p7