EEF has campaigned for measures to boost investment in science and innovation which it believes are fundamental to a long term improvement in UK economic performance and the ability to compete in high value technologies.
In particular, EEF welcomes:
· the extension of support for knowledge transfer partnerships, especially for small and medium size companies
· the enhanced leadership role for the technology strategy board
· the targeted proof-of-concept funding for early-stage high-technology companies
· the renewed emphasis on procurement capability and reforming how government departments spend their R&D budgets to promote innovative SMEs
· the campaign to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) amongst teachers and pupils
· enhanced careers advice on STEM related topics, an issue on which EEF has campaigned for many years.
Commenting, EEF Director General, Martin Temple, said:
“If we are to compete in the increasingly high value technologies of the 21st century then an effective science and innovation strategy has to be at the forefront of our economic and educational system.
“Government should be applauded for putting in place such a strategy which will help enable UK companies to compete at the top table and take advantage of new technologies and markets.”
ENDS