GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE

That this House is aware that science helps to drive the UK's economy, with the nation being home to a number of extremely innovative high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises and companies, and our universities being well regarded for their production of world class research, while also at the same time delivering high levels of education and training for the benefit of both national and regional companies; notes, however, that UK investment in science has been held flat since 2010 whilst our international competitors are actively and strategically increasing their overall spend in these areas; and urges the Government immediately to make a long-term commitment to our knowledge and economy by raising its investment in research and development to at least that of the EU average by the end of the next Parliament.