British Scientists Make the Case For Strong Support to Prepare for the Post-Recession. (April 17, 2009)

Next week, the 2009-10 British budget will be brought down by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling.

In mid March the BBC reported that the UK Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (Dius), a principal funder of British science, was pressing the Chancellor to release an additional £1 billion (A$2.1 billion) for research. which is less than a tenth of the United States' science stimulus package, or on a per capita basis about half.

The BBC also reported: "[F]unding bodies have been asked for a "shopping list" of ideas that would strengthen British science and boost the economy quickly. Proposals are likely to include additional funding for high-quality research, new laboratories, more young scientists and ideas that would be of use to industry - such as studies into clean energy technologies. Dius ministers are concerned that if the UK doesn't keep up, researchers will go to the US or to Asian countries - where research funding is also being dramatically increased."

However, when later that month Mervyn King, governor of the Bank of England, warned a parliamentary committee that further stimulus packages could damage the economy by increasing government debt, matters looked anything but hopeful.

But Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, and other prominent UK scientists have taken issue with Mr King. For example Professor Roy Anderson, rector of Imperial College told the BBC that investment in science is "one of the few options" the government has to kick-start the economy. He thinks there should be a big rise in science spending as part of a new high technology industrial strategy.

Mervyn King's announcement of course was not the best news for science when [we] were just trying to persuade senior ministers that this is a real opportunity to the British economy. I can understand his caution, however I'd still argue with him that in essence how are we going to position the UK economy coming out of the recession? I'd argue that science and technology is one of our few options and it's a good time to provide that stimulus.

And Professor Rees writing in The Guardian:

As the prime minister and chancellor contemplate the tricky budget arithmetic, they will no doubt be considering how to ensure that Britain comes through this recession in the strongest competitive condition. To ensure continuing prosperity in the global economy, nothing is more important than the development and application of knowledge and skills. Whether or not there is a case for a further fiscal shot in the arm, there are powerful reasons for a budget boost for science. When the recession is over, we will need to compete in a restructured, unfamiliar economy.

Over the last decade the government has given welcome priority to sustaining [science]. But the payoff for research and development sometimes takes decades, rather than years. If we are to recoup our investment we mustn't slip backwards, or even stand still... Only by investing in science and research now can we take advantage of the massive market prospects as the world develops new, more environmentally friendly ways of making a living... If Britain wants to preserve its competitive science base in the face of strong competition, we cannot just cross our fingers and hope current levels of investment will see us through.

[I]t is as important as it has ever been for the UK to value the generation of new knowledge.