Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to increase the United Kingdom’s research and development intensity above the 1.7 per cent reported by the Office for National Statistics last March for 2012; and whether they anticipate that the United Kingdom will meet the three per cent research and development intensity targets set by the European Union when the latest figures are released by the Office of National Statistics.

The Government's Science & Innovation Strategy, published last December has a long term commitment to research infrastructure of £1.1bn a year, increasing in real terms to 2021. This will give businesses long term certainty in planning their R&D investments which will be vital in ensuring the UK increases its R&D intensity. The Government has also protected the science ring fence in cash terms during this Parliament.