The UK Science and Technology Framework: one year on
It has been one year since the Prime Minister launched the Department of Science and Technology (DSIT), with the intention of unleashing the power of UK research and development, helping grow the UK economy and creating better jobs.
Launched in February 2023, the Science and Technology Framework acknowledges this. It does so by placing science and technology at the heart of government ambition and aligning government levers towards cultivating the right environment in our science and technology system for innovation to take place, new businesses to spin out and scale, and our science and technology sectors to flourish.
A thriving UK science and technology system remains critical for our future prosperity, security, and the health of our citizens. The dizzying pace of technological advancement confirms this, whilst it demonstrates the potential of advancement to boost productivity and transform our sectors, it also highlights the importance of making innovation safe, secure, responsible, and trustworthy to fully benefit from the opportunities it brings.
This insight sets out the key actions taken over 2023 and outlines what we can expect from the Science and Technology Framework in the upcoming year.
A year of delivery across the science and technology system
Below is a monthly breakdown of the key achievements since the creation of DSIT and subsequent launch of the Science and Technology Framework in early 2023.
February (2023)
- DSIT created.
- £18.9 million investment in Northern Ireland’s cyber security industry.
- £6.5 million levelling up funding for space growth projects.
March (2023)
- Science and Technology Framework launched.
- National Quantum Strategy launched, committing £2.5 billion to the development of quantum technologies in the UK over a ten-year period.
- £900 million funding to bolster compute capacity.
- 26 projects funded through £100 million Innovation Accelerators programme.
- Published the Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review.
- Announced a 2-year national ‘data research cloud’ pilot in partnership with UKRI.
- UK’s International Technology Strategy launched.
- Independent Review of the Research, Development and Innovation Organisational Landscape published.
- AI Regulation White Paper published, ‘A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation’.
April (2023)
- Introduced Digitial Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
- £100 million for an expert taskforce to adopt safe AI.
- UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy unveiled, including an up to £150 million boost for UK 5G and 6G innovation.
- UK-India Memorandum of Understanding on research and innovation.
- The DSIT Expert Exchange Programme launched.
May (2023)
- £75 million to boost 4G in Scotland.
- £103 million to upgrade UK’s research infrastructure.
- Launched a Cyber Security Playbook for local authorities.
- Renewed a UK-Japan science and technology deal.
- Up to £1 billion investment over the next decade announced through the National Semiconductor Strategy.
- A £650 million package for the life sciences sector.
June (2023)
- London Tech Week – 40,000 participants, 3,500 startups and over 850 investors gathered in Central London to discuss technology, innovation and talent.
- UK-Australia Memorandum of Understanding on diversifying telecommunications.
- UK-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding on cyber security, connectivity, and AI.
- UK-Canada agreement on biomanufacturing, quantum, climate change and alternative protein research.
- UK-US Atlantic Declaration action plan agreed covering leadership on critical and emerging technologies.
July (2023)
- Announced the ‘Mansion House’ reforms which will unlock an additional £75 billion of financing for growth and reform the UK’s listing rules.
- Launched £50 million Research Ventures Catalyst to support cutting-edge research, built on partnerships with private and philanthropic investors.
- Chair appointed for expert AI safety taskforce.
- Published the National Space Strategy in Action and reinstated the National Space Council.
- British Business Bank £200 million fund launched for SMEs in the South West.
August (2023)
- Expert panel appointed for semiconductors to support semiconductor strategy.
- £33 million joint investment to boost skills, support jobs and bolster green manufacturing in UK life sciences industry.
- September (2023)
- New National Technology Adviser appointed.
- The Diamond Light Source granted £500 million upgrade.
- First meeting of the UK Biosecurity Leadership Council.
- Announced the new Green Future Fund Fellowships, backed by a £150 million endowment to the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- Bristol announced to host UK’s most powerful supercomputer (Isambard-AI), as part of the £900 million compute funding put forward in March.
- The Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) announced its founding cohort of Programme Directors.
October (2023)
- An innovative public-philanthropic consortium worth £32 million to support UK Biobank, the world’s leading biomedical database.
- £70 million programme launched to advance domestic next-gen future telecommunications through UKRI Technology Missions Fund.
- Online Safety Act received royal assent.
- Launched Global Coalition on Telecommunications (GCOT) with Australia, Canada, Japan and US.
- Announced a new supercomputing facility in Edinburgh, as part of the £900 million compute funding put forward in March.
- Expert regional hubs given £75 million boost to local research, businesses and economies across UK.
- Start-ups across Britain given access to research, business coaching and help to secure funding after organisations receive a boost of up to £250,000.
- Launched ChipStart UK, a new £1.3 million incubator pilot programme to support early-stage companies involved in the design of semiconductors.
- £60 million Regional Innovation Fund (RIF) to boost support in areas of lower R&D investment.
- New £100 million fund to accelerate the use of AI in healthcare.
- British Business Bank £150 million fund launched for SMEs in Scotland.
November (2023)
- Hosted the first AI Safety Summit where and Bletchley Declaration was signed, established the AI Safety Institute, and launched the incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI).
- Hosted the Global Investment Summit and announced the creation of three new regulatory sandboxes.
- £500 million investment in AI in compute to expand the AI Research Resource.
- Five Quantum Missions launched.
- Venture capital skills fellowship programme launched.
- Landmark science and technology deal with the Republic of Korea to boose cooperation in critical technologies.
- Advanced Manufacturing plan released.
- Invested £520 million in life sciences manufacturing.
- Published a new vision for an R&D landscape that is diverse, resilient and investable.
- Announced the Royal Society Faraday Discovery Fellowships, backed by a £250 million endowment to the Royal Society, to attract and secure top R&D talent in the UK.
- Independent review of university spinouts published, with the government response announcing £20 million to support universities and founders to de-risk technology.
- £121 million invested in new space clusters and infrastructure.
- Published the Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review: Cross Cutting and Growth Duty Report, the final report in this series, alongside the government response.
- British Business Bank £70 million fund launched for SMEs in Northern Ireland.
- British Business Bank £130 million fund launched for SMEs in Wales.
December (2023)
- Published our national vision for engineering biology, committing £2 billion of investment over the next 10 years.
- UK’s association to £80 billion Horizon research programme was officially sealed.
- US venture capital firm Flagship Pioneering established its first base outside of the US in London.
January (2024)
- UK Association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus.
- Announced a new scale-up forum to bring together leading figures from across the science and technology ecosystem.
- Published update to the Science Capability Review.
- Announced the pilot of a new science and technology scale-up support service.
Progress across the five critical technologies
In March 2023, DSIT committed to conducting yearly reviews of its list of five critical technologies: AI, engineering biology, future telecommunications, semiconductors, and quantum technologies. These were selected for their ability to build strategic advantage, create opportunities for growth, and capitalise on existing UK strengths.
Such an annual review should enable DSIT, supported by the Government Office for Science, to undertake proactive horizon scanning for the identification and monitoring of future technologies. It should also build a deep understanding of their risks and opportunities.
Here is an overview of progress so far across these technologies.
- Artificial intelligence
The progress in commercial AI technologies since late 2022 is presenting worldwide opportunities and challenges. Standing at the forefront of global collaboration, DSIT hosted the first global AI Safety Summit in November 2023, to drive efforts to harness and enable safe and innovative development and use of AI. Implementation of the National AI Strategy puts innovation at the heart of the UK’s approach to AI public sector innovation and the UK’s wider approach to AI governance.
- Semiconductors
Semiconductors are the core component of all electronic devices and underpin our economy, national security, and modern way of life. They are also essential to advancing other technologies, including AI and quantum technologies, and are therefore fundamental to our broader strategic advantage in science and technology.
- Quantum technologies
Quantum technologies promise enormous benefits to the UK economy, society, and the way we can protect our planet. The UK has been an early leader, with the £1 billion National Quantum Technologies Programme running since 2014. Today, we have quantum computer applications which promise to develop new products and medicines; quantum-enhanced imaging devices for more accurate and speedier diagnosis of tumours; more sensitive quantum sensors for scanning brains and detecting underground infrastructure, and quantum communication networks which enable faster and more efficient transfers of information.
DSIT’s key milestones over the next 12 months
Publish independent reports on the regulation of quantum technologies, space, and engineering biology sectors through the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC).
Increase domestic and international stakeholder engagement and capacity building to promote UK leadership in the development of digital standards, including through a Digital Standards Showcase event to set out the UK’s policy approach to digital technical standards.
Publish an updated guidance on the responsible use of AI and data-driven tools in the human resources (HR) and recruitment sectors, to incorporate recent policy developments, including the government’s pro-innovation approach to AI regulation, and policy development around tools for trustworthy AI.
Conclusion
It is encouraging to see that Government has achieved so much since the formation of DSIT and publication of the Science and Technology Framework. However, there is more to do to support industry in developing, applying, and commersialising technologies, in particular the five critical technologies outlined above. techUK will continue to work closely with Government, academia, the UK’s innovation ecosystem, and our 1100+ member organisations to ensure strategy, funding and wider support are turned into action. Doing so should enable us to prepare and empower the UK for what comes next, delivering a better future for people, society, the economy and the planet.
techUK's Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
techUK held it's first-ever Tech and Innovation Summit in 2023. The summit was developed to explore the latest advancements in exciting technologies transforming the UK economy.
The Tech and Innovation Summit will be returning for 2024. To find out more and to register your interest please contact [email protected] or [email protected]
techUK's Supercharging Innovation Week 2023
techUK's Technology and Innovation programme hosted its innovation campaign week, as part of the Supercharging Innovation campaign, During this week, techUK members explored the emerging and transformative technologies at the heart of UK research and innovation.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Tech and Innovation Summit, 6 Nov (rescheduled date)
Emerging technologies will be debated and explored at our annual Tech and Innovation Summit, taking place on 6 November. This campaign week will directly feed into the themes discussed at the Summit.
techUK’s flagship Tech and Innovation Summit returns to traverse the extraordinary and ground-breaking discoveries made possible by the application of emerging and transformative technologies.
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This campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
This campaign has explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations is currently being produced (to be launched in September 2024).
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Event round-ups
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this campaign will explore how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity will take the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and reports.
Get in touch below to find out more about contributing to or collaborating on this campaign.
Upcoming events
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, he is techUK's Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, covering dozens of technologies including metaverse, drones, future materials, robotics, blockchain, space technologies, nanotechnology, gaming tech and Web3.0.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
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Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
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