The Microbiology Society is proud be a signatory on the Campaign for Science and Engineering’s statement calling for long-term investment in R&D
26 March 2024
The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) has released a statement asking political parties to commit to investing in and nurturing a culture of research and innovation in the UK. The Microbiology Society is supporting this statement, alongside 30 other scientific membership organisations, institutions and representatives of the UK R&D sector.
CaSE has released the following statement, with the Microbiology Society as a signatory:
“We are united in a belief in the importance of ambitious, long-term, and sustainable investment in Research and Development (R&D) for the future of the United Kingdom. R&D is the foundation upon which the UK’s economic prosperity, well-being, and global competitiveness rest. A sustained increase in government R&D investment creates the stability to pursue big ideas, discoveries, and innovations that improve UK public services and make the world a better place for the next generation.
Such investment will instil confidence in the UK as a place to do business, drive growth, prosperity, and allow the UK to lead on the transition to net zero while tackling threats to health, wellbeing and quality of life across the UK. A majority of the public think that new research has a role to play in solving society’s challenges; 77% say new research is an essential or important part of solving the problem of climate change and 80% for securing the UK’s energy supply and lowering the cost of energy bills.
The UK should be a leading country in the G7 on R&D investment. We want to see political parties commit to investing in and nurturing a culture of research and innovation, ensuring the UK continues to attract private, philanthropic, and charity investment as well as the most talented researchers from around the world.”
Professor Gurdyal Besra, President of the Microbiology Society said:“Microbiologists play a key role in the UK’s research and development (R&D) landscape, working on solutions to major global issues such as antimicrobial resistance and climate change. A sustained increase in government R&D investment and a commitment to long-term, sustainable funding will be integral to fostering R&D within our community. As such, we are in full support of this statement from CaSE and hope to see R&D being valued and nurtured by any future UK government.”
