Member Article

Autumn statement, the key points impacting science and technology:

George Osborne delivered his Autumn Statement this morning, announcing further reforms to promote innovation, to make the most of the UK’s science base and take the lead in cutting- edge technologies, including a network of Quantum Technology Centres and measures to encourage the development of driverless cars in the UK .

The Chancellor recognized that The UK has a world class research base, and the government is investing in innovation from basic science to the commercialisation of research, thus ensuring that the UK’s capabilities remain world-leading while playing a key role in economic growth and scientific excellence.

Here are the key points for Science and Technology:

• Develop a network of Quantum Technology Centres. The government will provide £270 million over 5 years to fund a programme to support translation of the UK’s world leading quantum research into application and new industries – from quantum computation to secure communication

• Create a £75 million a year fund to improve the research and innovation capacity of Emerging Powers and build valuable research partnerships for the UK

• Establish a Global Collaborative Space Programme. The government will introduce
a Global Collaborative Space Programme as an international pillar to our national space policy. A fund of £80 million over five years will enable UK scientists and companies to build stronger links with emerging powers in developing space capabilities and technology

• Ensure that UK industry and the wider public benefit from the development of driverless cars including a review, reporting by end 2014, to ensure the legislative and regulatory framework supports the world’s car companies to develop and test driverless cars in the UK, and a prize fund of £10 million for a town or city to develop as a test site for consumer testing of driverless cars​

• Establish the Higgs Centre at Edinburgh University, named in honour of British Nobel laureate Peter Higgs. The centre will provide cutting edge academic instrumentation and big data capabilities to support high tech start ups and academic researchers specialising in astronomy and particle physics

• Invest £5 million during 2014-15 in a large scale electric vehicle-readiness programme for public sector fleets. The programme aims to promote the adoption of ultra low emission vehicles, demonstrating clear leadership by the public sector to encourage future wide-spread acceptance

“Science is a personal priority of mine,” said Mr Osborne to Financial Times, and called quantum technology “an area of cutting-edge scientific research that has the potential to deliver huge benefits for the British economy.”

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