New science and technology council aims to boost UK tech

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled plans for a new National Science and Technology Council.

The council will provide strategic direction on the use of science and technology as tools to tackle societal changes. Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific adviser, will take on a new role as National Technology Adviser, and head up a new Office for Science and Technology Strategy based in the Cabinet Office. 

The organisation will review which technologies the UK should prioritise to gain a strategic advantage, and could have funding implications across engineering – the government is investing £14.9 billion in research and development in 2021-2022.

It could include developing technology to combat the climate crisis by accelerating the race to net zero, and designing medicines that can cure, rather than just treat cancer. 
“From discovery to delivery, our vaccination programme has proven what the UK can achieve at scale and at speed,” said the Prime Minister. “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. That’s why I’m establishing a new ministerial council and office at the centre of government, so we can realise the limitless possibilities that research and technology has to offer and cement the UK’s place as a global science superpower.”

Vallance said the new approach would put science and technology “at the heart of policy-making”. “I look forward to working with the National Science and Technology Council to help identify cutting-edge research and technologies that will deliver strategic advantage for the UK.”

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