The severity of the current economic downturn is much greater than when Britain last experienced a recession in the early 1990s. Yet there may be lessons to learn from that downturn. Now more than ever, government has a role in focusing strong, directed efforts to boost the translation of scientific ideas into useful technologies, and to reinforce the base of science skills that drives this innovation.rnThe United Kingdom cannot rely on the formerly dynamic financial services sector as the engine of growth, so a rebalancing of economic activity is vital for recovery. The ability to capture ideas and discoveries that flow from research will be the test of whether we can recover growth and prosperity, and will influence the degree of public support for investment in science.
展开▼
