Commenting on the government's newly announced science and tech package, Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“The government’s announcement today aimed at fuelling UK innovation in engineering, science and technology is welcome, including for its planned investments in UK Engineering Biology Mission Hubs and Mission Award projects. Engineering biology has the potential to deliver transformational benefits for our society and economy, combining many of the UK’s strengths in engineering research and innovation and offering exciting opportunities to bring cheaper, greener products and manufacturing methods to market. It is crucial that we continue to implement the Science and Technology Framework, advance pro-innovation policies and grow the UK’s capacity in critical technologies in order to achieve our national ambitions in engineering, science and technology.
“The newly released mapping tool for UK innovation clusters will be a useful tool for building a fuller picture of the country’s innovation landscape, particularly when combined with the Academy’s Engineering Economy & Place report and dashboard that captured for the first time, where and how engineering is taking place across the UK and the extent of engineering’s contribution to the economy, finding that engineering represents 32% of total national economic output and 26% of all UK jobs. Tools like these provide valuable data to inform future policy decisions, but without action to implement a place-based approach to engineering and innovation policy, the UK risks maintaining its status quo of regional imbalance and untapped potential for innovation outside of the identified clusters.”
Notes for editors
- The Royal Academy of Engineering’s previously released report, Engineering biology: A priority for growth recommended swift investment in the national engineering biology research and innovation ecosystem to support commercialisation and sustain the UK’s position as a global leader in the sector.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public.
Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.