Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 108
Space-based projects, including fundamental research and development of new and especially wholly novel technologies, generally...
Recommendation
Space-based projects, including fundamental research and development of new and especially wholly novel technologies, generally occur on long timescales and therefore require long-term funding. We were pleased to see the announcement of a three-year budget for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for 2022–23—2024–25 which should bring some certainty to the sector. The Government should reflect on the consequences of the recent one-year settlements UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure 79 on the space sector and provide a commitment to deliver at least three-year budget settlements to facilitate a more strategic approach to the allocation of public support for these technologies of the future.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing efforts such as the Dynamic Purchasing System and ongoing procurement reform, and emphasizes embedding civil-defence dual use in government procurement, without committing to multi-year budget settlements.
Paragraph Reference:
108
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The National Space Strategy highlights the work the Government has already done to launch a new Dynamic Purchasing System for space that helps the public sector procure space-enabled technologies. The Government is also undergoing procurement reform following the UK’s departure from the EU. This change should afford public organisations greater flexibility to adapt their procurement approaches. UKSA is working with DSIT and Cabinet Office to support capitalising on the potential such changes offer in 2023/24. The Strategy also commits us to ensure that the UK embeds civil-defence dual use at the heart of our approach to government procurement, including in space. The MOD’s Space Capability Management Plan, published in November 2022, sets out Defence’s future requirements in space, while DSIT will next year agree with other departments their civil space capability needs. This will allow government to make strategic decisions as to how it develops, collaborates, or accesses space systems and capabilities, following the approach set out in the Integrated Security and Defence Review.