Government outlines plan to place UK as tech superpower

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan have launched a plan outlining the government’s drive to position the UK as a technology and science superpower by 2030. 

The Science and Technology Framework is also backed by over £370m in investment to boost infrastructure and skills in sectors such as supercomputing and Artificial Intelligence.

Ms Donelan said: ‘Innovation and technology are our future. They hold the keys to everything from raising productivity and wages, to transforming healthcare, reducing energy prices and ultimately creating jobs and economic growth in the UK, providing the financial firepower allowing us to spend more on public services.’ 

Ten points have been outlined as being at the centre of the framework including: creating a pro-innovation culture in the public sector; financing innovative start-ups and companies; giving researchers access to top R&D infrastructure; and building on the UK’s existing talent base. 

Work will also be done on identifying and pursuing a ‘strategic advantage’ for critical technologies and increasing global showcasing of UK talent and strengthening international partnerships to help shape the global science and tech landscape. 

Initial funding will include a £250m investment into AI, quantum tech and engineering biology to help industries tackle big global problems such as climate change and health care. 

An Independent Review of the Research, Development and Innovation Organisational Landscape by Sir Paul Nurse will also be published whilst £10m will be invested into the UK’s next tech and science start-ups and £9m will be put in to supporting the establishment of a quantum computing research centre in Daresbury. 

Prime Minister Sunak said: ‘Trailblazing science and innovation have been in our DNA for decades. But in an increasingly competitive world, we can only stay ahead with focus, dynamism and leadership.’ 

He added: ‘The more we innovate, the more we can grow our economy, create the high-paid jobs of the future, protect our security, and improve lives across the country.’ 

You can read the full framework on the gov.uk website here. 

The outlining of the framework is one of the first big moves made by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, which was only created by Prime Minister Sunak after a reshuffle last month.

Photo by Shane Rounce