On 31 October, Lord Robert Mair CBE, founder of the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) and Emeritus Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, took part in a recent House of Lords debate on the contribution of science and technology to the UK economy, stressing the vital role of engineering in driving economic growth. Lord Mair welcomed the Government’s green paper Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, which identifies advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technologies as key sectors for future growth. As an engineer, both in practice and at Cambridge University, Lord Mair emphasised that engineering is central to these sectors and also plays a crucial role in areas such as defence and life sciences.
Lord Mair pointed out that the UK faces a significant engineering skills gap, which could impede progress, particularly in the face of global challenges like climate change and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. He praised the Government’s commitment to making the UK a clean energy superpower, with ambitious goals for achieving zero-carbon electricity by 2030. He also noted the importance of investing in technologies such as wind, solar, hydrogen, and small modular reactors, all of which require a skilled workforce of engineers and technicians.
To address the skills gap, Lord Mair supported initiatives such as increasing the number of STEM teachers, expanding apprenticeships, and promoting engineering careers. He compared the UK’s situation with that of Germany, where 20% of 25-year-olds have higher technical qualifications, compared to just 4% in the UK. He also welcomed the Government’s £300 million increase in funding for further education as well as the reforms to the apprenticeship levy.
Lord Mair also emphasised the crucial role of universities in fostering innovation and driving economic growth. He highlighted the global reputation of the UK’s research-intensive institutions and their importance in advancing science and engineering. However, he expressed concern over the financial pressures faced by many universities, urging the Government to increase funding for research and development to ensure continued innovation and global competitiveness.
He concluded by calling for further investment in the UK’s world-class universities, particularly in research and development, which are key drivers of economic growth. He urged the Government to provide additional funding in the upcoming spending review, stating that investment in science, technology and engineering is essential for the UK’s industrial strategy and long-term prosperity.
Watch the debatehere (Lord Mair’s speech is at 3.26 pm)
Read the Hansard transcripts of the debate here
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