United Kingdom

Specialist units set up by UK Revenue and Customs Departments to encourage SMEs to apply for R&D tax credits made cash payments totalling £150 million in the past year.

The UK has strengthened its scientific ties with China with the official opening of the Research Councils UK office in Beijing, the first of its type outside Europe.

New research blames a lack of role models and workforce practices for the low representatio of women among academic staff – particularly senior staff.

Economic impact must be embedded into research policy, says Philip Esler, Chief Executive of the UK’s Arts and Humanities and Research Council.

The UK is to back up a review of science and innovation policy by former science minister David Sainsbury with £1 billion over the next three years to boost business innovation and technology development.