Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would lead a new drive to capitalise on scientific and technological breakthroughs made in Britain with a programme to direct research into areas that will benefit the public good. Johnson will chair a group set up to "provide strategic direction on the use of science and technology as the tools to tackle great societal challenges, level up across the country and boost prosperity around the world". Seeking strategic gains for post-Brexit Britain, the plan looks to build on the success of the country's coronavirus vaccine programme and identify other areas where the research and development sector can benefit from government funding. Since leaving the European Union, the government has announced plans to increase its spending on R&D. It plans to invest 14.9 billion pounds ($20.58 billion) in 2021/22, rising to 22 billion by 2024/25, and has committed to raise total R&D investment to 2.4% of economic output by 2027.