Forum Brief: Science Strategy

The government has launched a coordinated drive to boost Britain's science base.

Science funding worth over a billion pounds and a new strategy aimed at boosting research in the UK has been announced by ministers from three Whitehall departments.

Cabinet ministers Paul Boateng, Patricia Hewitt and Estelle Morris set out how money announced in the comprehensive spending review will be spent.

Forum Response: Medical Research Council

Professor Sir George Radda, chief executive of the MRC, told ePolitix.com:"The MRC is looking forward to working in partnership with other research funders to ensure the long-term sustainability of the UK's research base and anticipate that they will play a full role in the planned Science and Engineering Base funders' forum."

Forum Response: Imperial College London

Sir Richard Sykes, rector of Imperial College London, told ePolitix.com: "This is excellent news for the top science-driven universities in this country. If we are going to compete internationally we need this cash injection to start levelling the playing field.

"The next key issue to tackle is that we have got to pay competitive salaries comparable to other sectors in order to attract and retain the best staff in science."

Forum Response: EPSRC

Professor John O'Reilly, chief executive of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, told ePolitix.com: "Investing in Innovation provides an important framework through which the UK research base can be further strengthened and, in turn, this will provide even greater benefits in the future to UK industry, theeconomy and society."

Forum Response: NESTA

A spokeswoman for NESTA told ePolitix.com: "It's encouraging to see that the government is looking to provide further investment - particularly during Science Year which, since last September, has been raising the profile and perception of science through a national campaign in schools.

"At NESTA we actively search for imaginative, new ways of communicating science that break down traditional barriers to learning. For example, a recent award is helping to create Online Jemma - a funky cyber heroine - who aims to challenge the 'white lab coat' image of science and attract teenage girls to the subject through a new online drama.

"We need to engage students, in science, from a young age so that the UK can continue to produce leaders in science and technology."