LONDON—Britain published details of a new 10-year framework to boost science and innovation on Monday (July 12), a plan broadly described as good news by leading figures in the research world.
The framework was announced by finance minister Gordon Brown alongside the government's triennial spending review, which determines how and where it allocates money.
At the broadest level, the new plan envisages public and private spending on research and development in the United Kingdom rising from 1.9 to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2014. In the shorter term, it offers annual growth in public science funding of 5.8% over the spending review period, meaning that by 2008, science spending will be £1 billion higher than in 2004–2005.
"Today's framework represents a long-term commitment to investing in science and innovation to create a platform for future wealth creation, productivity growth and better public services," Brown said in a statement. ...
