Ministers weigh in on science and technology’s superpowers

The UK’s science and technology has the opportunity to drive solutions for some the planet’s biggest future problems, including climate change.  That was the rallying call of secretary of state for energy security and net zero Grant Shapps as he delivered a keynote speech at EG’s Creating a Scientific Superpower event. “After years of gloomy headlines of these slowing-down scientific discoveries, we now have the chance to be among the first nations to gain a real competitive advantage and some truly remarkable technologies producing safe, cheap and abundant zero-carbon power,” Shapps said at the event, co-hosted with Bidwells. “Far from science being in crisis, hitting a brick wall, short of ideas, I say that when it comes to the energy transition itself and energy security, it’s science that will make Britain an energy superpower nation. And that could be part of our energy mix for the next 200 years.” Progress and problems Shapps spoke on the day the Climate Change Committee published a damning report on the likelihood of the government meeting its net zero targets. When asked to defend the government’s ambitions by EG deputy editor Tim Burke and celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who was in the audience, Shapps said: “There is a balance that a secretary of state has to meet between keeping the lights on and keeping the energy affordable and getting to net zero, which I’m legally accountable for. “You’ve made less progress in the past year than you did in the previous year,” said Fearnley-Whittingstall. “Yet you’ve given us a very bullish statement today saying you’re really confident. The rest of the country is not confident and they’re really worried that you’re just not achieving what you set out to do and you’ve got no credible plan for net zero.” The solution required to address this, Shapps replied, must be more measured than to immediately cut any use of fossil fuels. Instead, the minister proposed a phased approach. “I reject that approach to this problem,” said Shapps. “The Just Stop Oil plan would end up meaning we import twice the carbon and become even more reliant on tyrants like Putin.” He added: “I believe that people have a right to live their lives and to do so at a standard of living, a quality of life. The people who think the answer is just to switch off all our oil and gas resources and then buy it from abroad – because you still have to heat your home and put petrol in cars that aren’t electric – are absolutely along the wrong tracks.” The right way to tackle the problem, according to Shapps, is through the invention and implementation of climate-friendly strategies, including those such as the Jet Zero Council, which was set up by Shapps to provide green jet fuel and help the aviation sector make progress toward net zero. Fear and understanding Shapps was joined by fellow Tory MP Chloe Smith, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, who emphasised government’s standing by the industry and referenced the £650m support package unveiled by the chancellor just weeks before. The announcement detailed £120m to fast-track commercial clinical trials and almost £50m for future pandemics so that vaccines and other lifesaving medicines can be made in the UK. Smith ran through a list of other funding packages from the government to support the sector, which included £40m to improve mental health services; a £10m innovation competition to support researchers developing novel digital therapeutics, medtech and pharmaceutical treatments; £50m to support motor neurone disease research between 2022 and 2027; and £21m through the AI diagnostic fund that will allow NHS trusts to use AI to speed up imaging and decision support tools when diagnosing cancers, strokes and heart conditions. Smith also announced funding for a life sciences initiative in partnership with UK Research and Innovation, the Medical Research Council and Alzheimer’s Research UK, through which the government will invest £9.5m into better understanding and treating traumatic brain injuries. “We are using our collective strength to drive forward innovation and growth while delivering real improvements to people’s lives,” Smith said. “Adhering to Marie Curie’s philosophy that nothing in life is to be feared, only to be understood, we are harnessing new technologies to further our understanding of life-threatening diseases and injuries.  “And we are using science to build a more dynamic and competitive economy in which our boldest British businesses have the tools and backing they need to succeed. That’s our vision. Working together, that’s what I hope we will deliver.” To send feedback, e-mail chante.bohitige@eg.co.uk or tweet @bohitige or @EGPropertyNews Images © Louise Haywood-Schiefer