The UK Prime Minister and Technology Secretary have launched their government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030, alongside a raft of new measures backed by over £370 million (US$445 million) to boost investment in innovation, bring the world’s best talent to the UK, and seize the potential of ground-breaking new technologies like AI.

The new Science and Technology Framework is the first major piece of work from the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and will challenge every part of government to better put the UK at the forefront of global science and technology this decade through 10 key actions – creating a coordinated cross-government approach.

In doing so, the government will foster the right conditions for industry innovation and world leading scientific research to deliver high-paid jobs of the future, grow the economy in cutting-edge industries, and improve people’s lives from better healthcare to security.

The 10 points of the new Science and Technology Framework center on:

l  Identifying, pursuing and achieving strategic advantage in the technologies that are most critical to achieving UK objectives.

l  Showcasing the UK’s S&T strengths and ambitions at home and abroad to attract talent, investment and boost global influence.

l  Boosting private and public investment in research and development for economic growth and better productivity.

l  Building on the UK’s already enviable talent and skills base.

l  Financing innovative science and technology start-ups and companies.

l  Capitalizing on the UK government’s buying power to boost innovation and growth through public sector procurement.

l  Shaping the global science and tech landscape through strategic international engagement, diplomacy and partnerships.

l  Ensuring researchers have access to the best physical and digital infrastructure for R&D that attracts talent, investment and discoveries.

l  Leveraging post-Brexit freedoms to create world-leading pro-innovation regulation and influence global technical standards.

l  Creating a pro-innovation culture throughout the UK’s public sector to improve the way public services run.

The Framework has been designed in consultation with industry experts and academics, to help deliver stronger growth, better jobs, and bold discoveries to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. The plan will be a cross-government endeavor led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to bring together responsibility for the UK’s world class research and innovation system with the 5 technologies of tomorrow – quantum, AI, engineering biology, semiconductors, future telecoms plus life sciences and green technologies, into one single department for the first time.