Forum Brief: SR2002 - Science sector response

Gordon Brown announced yesterday that in partnership with the Wellcome Trust the government will create and fund a new National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching.

The science budget received a 10 per cent real terms annual rise, meaning that by 2005-06, £1.25 billion extra a year for science will be available.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Gerald Imison, deputy general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, told ePolitix.com: "We are pleased to see recognition that sound science education is the basis for innovation and invention and particularly welcome the new integrated budget for childcare and early years provision."

Forum Response: Association of University Teachers

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the AUT, told ePolitix.com: "The 10 per cent annual real terms increase in science funding is very welcome. It is now up to the government to turn these headline figures in to real improvements in higher education."

Forum Response: Cancer Research UK

"Cancer Research UK welcomes the £1.25 billion investment in science and technology promised by the chancellor.

"The future of cancer research, and the delivery of new effective treatments and cures for the disease, depends on science education in schools and universities.

"We need to enthuse and inspire young people to take up careers in science and medicine, train them to the highest standards and provide them with top quality support throughout their education. Only through long-term investment in training doctors, nurses and researchers will we be able to deliver the best quality cancer treatments and care that the British public deserve."

Forum Response: Royal Academy of Engineering

Professor David Nethercot Freng, spokesman for the RAE, told ePolitix.com: "I am pleased to see Ministers recognising the importance of doctoral students in science and engineering - we also welcome the extra support for postdoctoral researchers.

"The chancellor's plans are a good first step towards tackling the problem. The Royal Academy of Engineering would be pleased to work with government to put the new scheme into practice."

"These announcements address the question of how we recruit the brightest and best into the first stage of an academic career. Now the government must focus on the next issue - how we retain them as they move up the ladder to become university researchers, lecturers and professors.

"If we want an innovative, high-productivity economy tomorrow, we need top-quality PhD students today. This new scheme is an important step in the right direction."

Forum Response: NESTA

Jeremy Newton, chief executive of NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), told ePolitix.com: "NESTA warmly welcomes this unprecedented increase in funding for science . Like the Chancellor, we believe that the economy is dependent upon fully utilising the wealth of talent across invention and innovation in this country. By increasing investment in science research, the Chancellor has helped make sure that fewer talented scientists will leave this country, taking their ideas with them."We believe that the importance of innovation goes beyond science to include creativity across the arts and technology sectors. That's why NESTA exists - to support the adventurous, to take risks and invest bravely in the wealth of creative individuals that exist in the UK."

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com: "The increase in funding for science recognises only one element of the needs of universities.

"We note with interest the increase in capital funding but we will be seeking clarification over the basis of the recurrent funding announced, research is of course important, but it can't happen without equipping universities to recruit staff, attract students and provide first-rate teaching."

Forum Response: Medical Research Council

Professor Sir George Radda, chief executive of the Medical Research Council, told ePolitix.com: "We're delighted that the government is championing UK science by increasing the budget for the Research Councils.

"The UK is leading the world in many aspects of research and the increased science spend will enable us to maintain and enhance that position."

Forum Response: The Prostate Cancer Charity

A spokeswoman for The Prostate Cancer Charity told ePolitix.com: "We were pleased to see young scientists recognised as a valuable asset in the spending review.

"However, improved stipends and salaries is only the start. It is about making the career attractive, secure and aspirational. Research, like ours in cancer, is buildt bit by bit from long term trains of thought.

"We all need scientists who can concentrate on their work rather than worry about their future on short term contracts.

"Now more than ever, our lives depend on their work."

Forum Response: QinetiQ

Sir John Chisholm, Chief Executive of QinetiQ, told ePolitix.com: "There are a number of things to welcome in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

"The increased investment in research funds give us a good indication of the government's belief in Science and; Technology and a recognition of its contribution to the economy. The modest increase in defence spending, we would hope logically leads to at least a reversal of the long standing reduction in defence-related research.

"This research has been proven to be so important both for the success of our Forces in their many deployments, but also for the exploitation of products into industry."Lastly, but probably most importantly, the new resources to science in education we would hope would reverse the biggest threat to Science and Technology in the UK - that being the lack of quality feedstock in terms of the falling number of science students coming through our schools and universities."