The Royal Society has joined a coalition representing some of the UK’s leading businesses, universities and charities, that is calling on the next Prime Minister to put research and innovation at the heart of their plan for UK prosperity, post-Brexit.
The group is urging the next Conservative leader to deliver a concrete and overdue vision for UK research and development (R&D) which builds upon existing pledges, to boost jobs and deliver vital medical, technological and social breakthroughs.
Despite having made a firm commitment to spend 2.4% of national wealth on R&D by 2027, the Government is not on track to meet its target and the UK already trails behind its international competitors, undermining efforts to develop new cancer treatments, tackle climate change and support the knowledge-intensive industries of the future.
Find out more about the Royal Society's work on UK research and development.