Why funding for science matters

Science matters.  It explains the world around us and has made a huge contribution to shaping the society we live in today.  It has given us world-changing discoveries, such as penicillin, and it innovates in ways that transform the way we lead our lives.  We live longer and we live better because of science.

The term ‘science’ refers of course to a number of related disciplines which do not need to be listed here; suffice it to say that scientific research is critically important to every aspect of our lives.  Medicine, manufacturing, agriculture, communications, travel, sport, culture – everything we do owes a debt to science.

It’s also something we Brits are rather good at.  The UK represents 0.9% of the global population but accounts for 15.9% of the world’s most highly cited scientific research articles.  We are ranked first in the world for the impact of our science and we can lay claim to 78 Nobel prize winners.  Whether it’s fundamental research or the kind of applied science which leads directly to new technologies and better goods and services, we are good at it. 

We cannot assume, however, that we will retain this leading position in research and development.  Our international competitors invest more than us; Germany and the USA invest 2.8% of GDP in science, compared with 1.7% of GDP here in the UK.  Our levels of investment have in fact fallen gradually since the mid eighties, to the extent that we are now sixth in the G7 for overall spending.

We now have the opportunity to put that right.  George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review needs to acknowledge the problem and address it; we need a commitment in the Review to keep the science budget ring-fenced.  Moreover, we need a commitment to both protect it in real terms and to an ambition to increase investment in science as sustained economic growth returns.

It may be asked, why should science be a special case, especially given the austerity driven nature of our public finances?

The answer is quite simple.   Science matters.  It’s at the heart of everything we do and because of that it is also at the heart of our economy; research and development is feedstock for our manufacturing base and for better, more efficient, public services.   Our modern knowledge economy is underpinned by a science base which more than pays its way; it sustains a third of businesses in the UK and pays 40% higher than the average wage.  Highly skilled and highly trained science workers boost our productivity.

If we want a march of the makers and if we want to remain a leading global economy, then we must look after our science base. 

Let’s hope that the Chancellor is in listening mode.  There are an awful lot of scientists out there who are waiting to hear what he has to say; I hope he doesn’t disappoint them.