Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Sainsbury of Turville (Labour) on Monday, 18 July 2005.

Research and Development

Question: What plans they have to increase investment in research and development from its current level of 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to the European Union average of 2 per cent of GDP.

Answer: The Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004–14 sets out the Government’s long-term objective for the UK economy to increase the level of knowledge intensity in the UK from its current level of around 1.9 per cent to 2.5 per cent by around 2014, and the actions being taken to achieve it.The first annual report on the 10-year framework outlines progress towards achieving this target. The annual report will be published on 20 July.

Secondary information