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Innovation, science and technology newsMembers meet senior government scientistA group of leading CBI members met professor Brian Collins, the chief scientific adviser to the departments for transport and for business, innovation and skills, at the recent innovation, science and technology committee meeting.Members were able to hear first hand from professor Collins his views on the challenges facing business, government and academia in the coming years as the UK economy rebalances and the country seeks to maintain its level of excellence in innovation and scientific development. They agreed on the need for business and government to engage with each other and work together in developing technologies for a low-carbon economy. Contact: chris.cassley@cbi.org.uk Reshuffle creates new department for businessAs part of the recent government reshuffle it was announced that DIUS and BERR would merge to form a new department for business, innovation and skills (BIS).Headed by Lord Mandelson as secretary of state, the new department incorporates all previous areas of responsibility covered by DIUS in addition to those led by BERR. Although Lord Drayson continues in his role as science and innovation minister and will attend cabinet meetings, his post is shared jointly with the ministry of defence where he will concentrate on strategic acquisition reform and the defence industrial strategy. Contact: chris.cassley@cbi.org.uk View theBIS press release Business warns on university research costsA report prepared for Research Councils UK and Universities UK has recognised business concern over the increasing costs of research in the UK. The CBI has welcomed the report and stressed that industry should not be expected to make up shortfalls in research funding by others such as Research Councils and the European Commission. This issue was raised by the CBI's Inter-Company Academic Relations Group (ICARG) in its submission to the panel which reviewed the impact of full economic costing. The review concluded that enhancing the professionalism of university staff involved in pricing and negotiating is crucial, and recommended that research should be conducted to examine the degree to which UK industry is contracting research overseas. Read our submission to the RCUK/UUK Review Panel. Read the RCUK/UUK report (PDF 348KB) Members lobby science ministerCBI head of Enterprise & Innovation Tim Bradshaw, took IST & ICARG Committee members to discuss business priorities with Science & Innovation minister, Lord DraysonTim called for Technology Strategy Board funding to be scaled-up, focussing on support for low carbon technology families – as outlined in our Budget submission. Members also highlighted a range of STEM skills issues that government must tackle: from improving the opportunities for hands-on experiments in schools through to support for postgraduate research and training to meet the needs of business. Shadow minister meets CBI committeeOur Innovation, Science and Technology Committee met with the Conservative shadow minister for Science and Innovation, Adam Afriyie MP.The meeting provided an opportunity for members to discuss the Conservative Party's plans for science and innovation and issues facing UK businesses in the current economic downturn. Key topics addressed included Conservative views on an 'outcome-based approach' to procurement by government and the role of Regional Development Agencies. The meeting is the latest in a series of high profile policy discussions with key figures in government and opposition. Science and Innovation minister Lord Drayson will be meeting the Committee next monthContact: chris.cassley@cbi.org.uk Members' views sought on business-university research linksThe CBI's Inter-Company Academic Relations Group (ICARG) is continuing to participate in plans for the development of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) which will succeed the Research Assessment Exercise as a means of allocating research funds to UK universities from 2014. In addition, ICARG is collecting members' perceptions and experiences of methods of demonstrating the benefits to companies of research links with universities. Comments from all CBI members are welcome. Contact: david.cairncross@cbi.org.ukKey issues in summaryFor the latest CBI thinking on technology and innovation issues, see our business summaries.Click on this link to go to the Policy work page. |
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