The Government’s Science and Technology Framework is a welcome step and now must to be backed by action
The Department for Science Innovation and Technology has published a new Science and Technology Framework for the UK Government. The Framework, published on 6 March 2023 sets out a strategic view of how the Government will aim to support UK science and technology between now and 2030.
This includes an analysis of what the Government sees as the key technologies vital to the UK’s social and economic future, sets out how the Government will aim to support the development and diffusion of these technologies and includes some metrics of success.
How will this Science and Technology framework work in practice:
The framework identifies five critical technologies going forward, to be reviewed yearly by the National Science and Technology Council:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Engineering Biology
- Future Telecoms
- Semiconductors
- Quantum technologies
The framework identifies four key themes to support the development and diffusion of these technologies:
- Attracting the best talent
- Building a skilled workforce for tomorrow's industries
- Providing infrastructure and investment to support technologies to market
- Encouraging a regulatory market that supports innovation
To deliver the plan the Government bring froward targeted strategies, backed by funding. These include £250 million committed to ‘technology missions’ in AI, quantum and engineering biology to be set out by future strategies including the AI White Paper and Semiconductor Strategy.
These technologies will also be encouraged through the nine ‘levers’ the framework sets out, with the government to develop a plan for each strand of the framework by Summer 2023.
Each of these sections include measures outlining how the Government will work with the private sector, academia and civil society in order to promote the UK’s strength in science and technology. Some of these are general, such as improving the STEM skills of the population, or more focused on specific crucial technologies themselves.
Other examples include the commitment to raise public R&D funding to £20 billion by 2024-5, and the reform of the pensions regulatory charge cap.
The nine levers are:
- Signalling UK Strengths and Ambitions – Encouraging wider knowledge of the United Kingdom’s goals in science and current capabilities to promote shared current goals
- Investment in Research and Development – Part of the government’s Science and Technology Superpower ambitions
- Talent and Skills – Developing the UK’s existing talent base in skills and entrepreneurship
- Financing Innovative Science and Technology Companies – Ensuring there is enough finance to grow large companies from startups
- Procurement – Using the public sector’s buying power to create growth
- International Opportunities – Reaping the benefits of international partnerships with states, industry and academia that allow the UK to lead the world
- Access to Physical and Digital Infrastructure – Coordination of infrastructure to foster clusters of innovation and attract the talent needed to allow companies to scale
- Regulation and Standards – Using the UK’s exit from the EU to establish pro-innovation regulation that leads the world
- An Innovative Public Sector – creating a public sector that’s digitally-literate and willing to take risks to get returns
As well as this a new institutional framework to deliver on the government’s priorities has also been outlined. This includes the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and the National Science and Technology Council. This council meets monthly and is chaired by the PM and co-chaired by the Secretary of State for DSIT.
The Office for Science and Technology Strategy, as well as the national technology advisor, will also work on delivering this framework. DSIT is also committed, throughout the document, to cross-departmental work that will aid in the delivery of certain plans and reforms.
techUK's view
techUK welcomes the framework and the recognition by government of the significant value the tech sector brings to the UK economy and society.
It is good to see the Government also recognise the value brought to the UK as a whole by the critical technologies they have outlined in the framework. The technologies chosen are key focuses of the work of techUK and support for AI, quantum, semiconductor design and communications technologies will help the UK maintain its world-leading position in these technologies of the future.
However this plan must be backed by financial commitments from the Treasury in the upcoming March budget as well as ensuring that support for general innovation and R&D, outside of the technologies the Government has selected, is maintained.
Despite the several specific commitments regarding total public R&D funding and funding for those core sectors such as AI, there are questions regarding the financial commitments that will be required to make the framework a long-term success. The reduction of the R&D tax credit for small innovative companies in the autumn statement was a disappointing move and must also be addressed in the upcoming budget, with techUK offering ways for the government to rethink its R&D approach to best suit the modern tech sector.
techUK will be working very closely with DSIT going forward to help fulfil the missions set out in the framework. Sign up to Policy Pulse to stay up-to-date with our techUK's views, and find our work on the key technologies below:
Alice Campbell
Alice Campbell
As Head of Public Affairs, Alice supports techUK’s strategic engagement with Westminster, Whitehall and beyond. She regularly works to engage with ministers, members of the UK’s parliaments and senior civil servants on techUK’s work advocating for the role of technology in the UK’s economy as well as wider society.
Alice joined techUK in 2022. She has experience working at both a political monitoring company, leading on the tech, media and telecoms portfolio there, and also as an account manager in a Westminster-based public affairs agency. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Politics and Philosophy.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Archie Breare
Archie Breare
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team as the Team Assistant in February 2023 and as Public Affairs Manager in September 2023
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
Audre Verseckaite
Audre Verseckaite
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel
Nimmi Patel is the Head of Skills, Talent and Diversity at techUK.
She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers and governments.
Prior to joining the team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07805744520
- Twitter:
- @nimmiptl
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimmi-patel1/
Dani Dhiman
Dani Dhiman
Dani is Policy Manager for Artificial Intelligence & Digital Regulation at techUK, and previously worked on files related to data and privacy. She formerly worked in Vodafone Group's Public Policy & Public Affairs team supporting the organisation’s response to the EU Recovery & Resilience facility, covering the allocation of funds and connectivity policy reforms. Dani has also previously worked as a researcher for Digital Catapult, looking at the AR/VR and creative industry.
Dani has a BA in Human, Social & Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge, focussing on Political Philosophy, the History of Political Thought and Gender studies.
Jake Wall
Jake Wall
Jake has been the Policy Manager for Skills and Future of Work since May 2022, supporting techUK's work to empower the UK to skill, attract and retain the brightest global talent, and prepare for the digital transformations of the future workplace.
Previously, Jake was the Programme Assistant for Policy. He joined techUK in March 2019 and has also worked across the EU Exit, International Trade, and Cloud, Data Analytics and AI programmes.
He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex, as well as a BA(Hons) in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. During his time at Aberystwyth University, he won the International Politics Dissertation Prize.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @jww_tech,@jww_tech
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,https://www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwwuk,https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwwuk
Antony Walker
Antony Walker
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07780603065
- Twitter:
- @techUKdepCEO
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonywalker/
Neil Ross
Neil Ross
As Associate Director for Policy Neil leads on techUK's public policy work in the UK. In this role he regularly engages with UK and Devolved Government Ministers, senior civil servants and members of the UK’s Parliaments aiming to make the UK the best place to start, scale and develop a tech business.
Neil joined techUK in 2019 to lead on techUK’s input into the UK-EU Brexit trade deal negotiations and economic policy. Alongside his role leading techUK's public policy work Neil also acts as a spokesperson for techUK often appearing in the media and providing evidence to a range of Parliamentary committees.
In 2023 Neil was listed by the Politico newspaper as one of the '20 people who matter in UK tech' and has regularly been cited as a key industry figure shaping UK tech policy.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @neil13r
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilross13/
Oliver Alderson
Oliver Alderson
Oliver is the team assistant for the Policy and Public Affairs teams, joining techUK in November of 2023. He assists the teams admistrative support, communication, and event production.
Prior to working at techUK, Oliver studied at Swansea and Bristol universities, attaining a masters in Policy Research. During this time he competed in debating competitions around the country where he discussed and deliberated various policy issues. Between his studies Oliver acted as a student assistant in mental health research for the SMaRteN student network.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07505 890 596
- LinkedIn:
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oliver-alderson-a51312180
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu
Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.
Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.
As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.
Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.
Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.
She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.
Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +32 473 323 280
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
