Part of the great British shtick is that we’re a ‘science superpower’. It’s a phrase trotted out constantly by Rishi Sunak, for one.
It’s true that from an early age Britons are taught about the inventors and pioneers of the past. Even the internet is ours, created by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. Indeed, one of the biggest roars of the opening ceremony for the 2012 London Olympic Games was when Berners-Lee made a rare appearance.
So, it’s sad and frustrating to report then that it would seem the best days, those that nurtured the most brilliant achievements, lie behind us.
A report this week from the Society of Chemical Industry, Manifesto for an Industrial Science and Innovation Strategy, paints a sorry picture of the UK’s current standing. The society, that represents academics and industrialists in chemicals – a sector, lest we forget, once championed by the mighty world-leading Imperial Chemicals Industries or ICI – says that far from forging ahead we’re lagging all our international peers.
The report states that however it’s calculated, whichever metrics is used, whether competitiveness, exports or government spending on R&D, we’re behind. Trailing the manifesto, Sharon Todd, the society’s chief executive, told The Times: “The UK is no longer a competitive or compelling place for industry to be located. We have a core asset base in science. We need to make the case and make it very strongly because things are going to get worse, and dramatically worse.
“Big investments come around in ten-year cycles for big plants and big facilities. We are close to hitting some pinch points. Chief executives are being approached to invest elsewhere. It is not appreciated that we are in danger of dropping off a cliff.”
Mr Sunak is merely copying his predecessor, Boris Johnson. Boosterism appealed to Mr Johnson, so in the same way we were told our armed forces are the best in the world (not true) or we’re taking back control (palpably false) or the NHS is admired everywhere (they don’t experience the crowded A&E departments and waiting lists) or our parliamentary democracy is regarded internationally (this, from someone who undermined Parliament) or our courts are universally celebrated (but the delays caused by lack of resources is not mentioned) so is the UK’s hegemony in science and R&D on the list.
It was once real but today is a fantasy, as the normally-not-so-outspoken society, lays bare. Britain is down from fifth to 30th in industrial competitiveness; pharmaceutical products have gone from 11 per cent to 3 per cent of exports; the UK is 27th in the world for government support for R&D; the average government spend on R&D among the 38 member countries of the OECD is 0.6 per cent of GDP, Britain’s is 0.4 per cent.
The manifesto says, “We are losing the race”, the UK is “drastically trailing other countries” and there is “no urgency” to turn that around.
What we lack, maintains the society, is a concerted industrial strategy, akin to that of the US. There, President Biden’s joined-up policies push in one direction, towards promoting US innovation and investment.
A start, says the manifesto, would be to reach that average OECD figure, for the government to commit, and be seen to be doing so, to spending a greater amount on R&D and raising the proportion of GDP from 0.4 to 0.6. That would send a positive signal that Mr Sunak’s administration is doing more than mere talking and is reinforcing its gushing with hard cash.
An Innovation Industrialisation Council would be formed, with the backing of legislation in an Innovation Implementation Act. The aim would be to encourage scientific breakthroughs, but then ensure they remain in the UK, that everything required to provide those discoveries with a strong commercial base is thrown at them – so there is no temptation to go elsewhere and jobs are created in the UK.
Mention of anything called a “council” in relation to industrial policy provokes a yawn. We have been down this route many times in the past and it’s got the UK nowhere. Indeed, we’re there at present, with an astonishing 70 or so trade, research and industrial councils in existence across the various sectors and specialisations.
Where the society’s proposal is different, they argue, is that theirs would replace many of those and act as an overarching body. Crucially, it would be run by people drawn from business, not politicians. It would be seeking “longevity, cohesion and consistency” supplying “a roadmap and a framework rather than just an ambition”.
Part of the society’s motivation is what it rightly perceives as the chasm between Westminster, Whitehall and business. Nobody is speaking up for enterprise within government, members of the ministerial team lack heavyweight commercial experience and with the recent problems that have beset the CBI, commerce and with it, science and R&D, lack high-level advocacy.
For years there has been a breakdown in relations between the business and political classes.
“There has been a loss of contact, confidence and trust. It is a consistent theme among our members that the UK environment is neither welcoming nor business friendly. The potential loss to the UK is £230 billion [of economic growth] and 240,000 jobs that would otherwise be created across the life sciences and cleantech sectors,” says Ms Todd.
The difficulty in what her society is suggesting is persuading Mr Sunak and his colleagues to make a mental shift. It is hard to imagine them being willing to relinquish control to business. For years there has been a breakdown in relations between the business and political classes. The latter – especially the Tories who see themselves as belonging to “the party of business” – make all the right noises, but equally, their distrust surfaces. Corporates pleaded for the UK not to leave the EU; their appeals were ignored. Mr Johnson at one point even uttered a profanity in relation to big business, showing what he thought of them.
Business is suspected of pursuing a hidden agenda. So taxation, the environment, health and safety – these are just some of the areas where ministers tread warily. Yes, they’d like to lower them and, in some cases, abolish them completely, but they also have another audience to serve, namely consumers and the public. They need funds and that means imposing taxes; likewise, they must be mindful of people’s health and safety, so that means regulation.
Ultimately, though, politicians like to remain in charge. Policy is their domain and that includes industrial policy. It is not something to be handed over to others.
This initiative deserves to be considered seriously. Certainly, consolidating the myriad councils makes sense. To go further, however, and see Britain’s innovation and industrial investment managed by non-politicians may prove to be a step too far, as much as it ought to happen.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Teaching in coronavirus times
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
THE%20SWIMMERS
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ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The UAE's journey to space
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Du Plessis plans his retirement
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.
Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.
"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday.
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
Zayed Sustainability Prize
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
