Andrew Miller: ‘Put your shoulders to the wheel’

The right science and engineering policy is crucial to meeting both short-term economic problems and the major challenges of the 21st century, says Andrew Miller.

With the nation in election mode, we need to look at the offers of the parties, especially those that aspire to be part of the next government. Despite the strength of our science base, our economy is only now picking up after the slowest recovery from a recession in a century. A lot of people are still struggling.

We need a plan for business and working families to succeed together. One that will raise living standards, create more high-skill, high-wage jobs, help our leading firms and sectors plan for the future and ensure that Britain can make the most of technological advances. Science and engineering are central both to this economic effort and to managing wider global challenges, from tackling climate change and making the transition to a low-carbon economy to delivering a world-class NHS that supports the needs of an ageing society.