‘With the right direction, pace and backing, we can breathe life into many more scientific and technological breakthroughs…’
UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is moving ahead on his ambitions to make the country a ‘global science superpower’ with the establishment of a new Ministerial National Science and Technology Council and an Office for Science and Technology Strategy.
Chaired by the Prime Minister, the Council will provide ‘strategic direction on the use of science and technology as tools to tackle societal challenges, level up across the UK and boost prosperity around the world.’
Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance, will lead the Office for Science and Technology Strategy, as well as taking up a new role of National Technology Adviser. The Office for Science and Technology Strategy will support the Ministerial Council and the National Technology Advisor, driving the Government’s science and technology priorities.
In addition, the new Office will ‘Strengthen the Government’s insight into cutting-edge research and technologies, and work across Government to put science and technology at the centre of policy and public services.’ The Office will also identify what is needed in the UK to deliver the government’s ambitions.
The whole of the UK Government is expected to engage with the new Office; taking the UK’s approach to the development of covid-19 vaccines, and applying it to other priorities. These priorities include the move to net-zero and treatments for cancer.
UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said; ‘From discovery to delivery, our vaccination programme has proven what the UK can achieve at scale and at speed. With the right direction, pace and backing, we can breathe life into many more scientific and technological breakthroughs that transform the lives of people across the UK and the world.’
This latest development follows the Government announcement in February, on establishing an Advanced Research & Innovation Agency (ARIA) which will fund high-risk, high-reward scientific research.
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