That is the position set out by Liam Byrne, shadow minister for universities, science and skills, in a , published today.

The paper, which sets out four areas where ¡°change is needed¡±, also says universities ¡°must play a role in the UK¡¯s national system of innovation¡±.

Science policy can help tackle a ¡°cost of living crisis¡±, says the paper, titled ¡°One Nation Labour¡¯s Plan for Science¡±.

Mr Byrne notes the influx of low-paid workers entering the world¡¯s labour market from India and China. He adds: ¡°The only way developed countries can compete is by competing in high value markets that compete on quality, underpinned by well-paid and skilled workers, and growing high value-added industries that require innovation and a highly skilled workforce, such as IT, aerospace and pharmaceuticals.¡±

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Labour created a long-term ¡°Science and Innovation Investment Framework¡± which ran from 2004 to 2014 and led to increases in funding via the research councils, and set strategy for boosting R&D intensity of companies, Mr Byrne says.

He argues that the coalition failed to build on that momentum, instead making ¡°damaging mistakes¡±. He criticises the coalition¡¯s approach to the science budget, saying there have been ¡°cuts to science capital followed by unplanned and ad hoc top-ups¡±, which has ¡°created uncertainty for the sector¡±.

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The first change he proposes is moving ¡°from short-term policy making to an active government promoting long-term certainty on investment¡±. He adds that in terms of technological efforts, many competitor nations ¡°prioritise government spending by focusing on ¡®grand challenges¡¯ that affect society. We could do the same.¡±

The second change is requiring the UK ¡°to adopt an outward facing, engaged approach to the world¡±, recognising that ¡°in the future even more of the funds, talent and ideas we need will come from overseas¡±.

The third is ¡°to ensure that science and innovation are powering growth in our regional economies¡±, where Mr Byrne notes that strong regional growth hubs like Cambridge ¡°have strong universities at their core¡±.

The fourth and final change identified by Mr Byrne is ¡°to set out the foundations for a digital future¡±, ensuring that citizens benefit from big data and digital technology.

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john.morgan@tsleducation.com