Parties ‘shy away from research investment promises’

The Campaign for Science and Engineering has published an analysis of the main political parties’ comments and announcements on science policy, and finds that they have been reluctant to commit to investment in this area.

In a press release accompanying the publication of the analysis, Naomi Weir, CaSE’s acting director, said the main political parties had been quiet about their science and engineering funding intentions and that their manifestos “shy away from backing warm words with real investment”. 

“In an election debate dominated by the deficit, I’ve had to strain my ears to pick up on proposals to tackle stagnant productivity and boost the economy over the long-term,” Weir said, adding that delivering economic growth would require the next prime minister to “get serious about science”.