Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Not Addressed
The Government and UKRI should, in response to this report, and on an annual basis...
Recommendation
The Government and UKRI should, in response to this report, and on an annual basis thereafter, set out how the R&D budget will be allocated by sector, region and cluster. The Government should also, in its response to this report, and on an annual basis thereafter, set out the current level of private sector R&D investment by sector, region and cluster. This should include detailed mapping of not just total investment but key metrics such as company formation, job creation and intellectual property filings. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44)
Government Response Summary
The government's response fails to address the recommendation for annual reporting of R&D budget allocations and private sector investment by sector, region, and cluster, instead discussing proof-of-concept funding and spin-out support.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government agrees with the need to provide sufficient proof-of- concept funding in supporting research commercialisation and the development of spin-outs. UKRI is already taking steps to strengthen the provision of this funding and expects overall proof-of-concept funding to grow across the spending review. The £40 million proof-of-concept programme sits within a wider UKRI landscape of translational funding, some of which exceeds £1 million per award where relevant to the technology. For example, the Medical Research Council’s Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme provides support and is not subject to a fixed upper award limit where costs are justified, and typically funds over £1 million. For businesses, Innovate UK competitions can also offer substantial awards, including funding of up to around £1 million in appropriate cases. UKRI will set out plans for building on its existing proof-of-concept funding offer this summer via its delivery plans. This will include specific plans for funding within individual sectors, as part of the new cross-UKRI programmes supporting Industrial Strategy sectors.