Response to the creation of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Yesterday’s announcement that the government is creating a new Department for Science, Innovation & Technology comes at a crucial time for the British technology sector. It is a signal that our country is heading in the right direction as we look to raise our global ambitions and truly become a ‘Science Superpower’.

As Jeremy Hunt pointed out in a speech last month, we have all the ingredients to make the UK the next Silicon Valley. We are pioneering some of the most important and advanced technologies of our generation across the fintech, life sciences and green energy sectors, among others. Our science industry here in the UK is of immense significance and a long-term strategic view is essential when it comes to developing, commercialising and protecting our deep tech. 

With the formation of this department, the government has woken up to the scaling challenge, and how we can better translate brilliant research into brilliant business. Now is an opportunity that we can seize as a nation to produce policies to improve funding and investment into these businesses to help them attract the best global talent and develop a supportive regulatory framework for them to confidently grow.  

There is still some way to go in ensuring we capitalise on our vibrant science base and world-class universities to create – and keep – world-beating, billion-pound science and technology businesses here in the UK. But the foundation of this department is an exciting and important step forward for British science and technology. With the right vision and policies, we can harness this moment to reach our potential in the ever-competitive world of tech.

Dr Mike Lynch OBE FREng FRS