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Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 6 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 June 2007. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 June 2007 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Employment: Science

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what monitoring he undertakes of the numbers of science based jobs in the UK; what assessment he has made of recent trends in such numbers; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

[holding answer 11 June 2007]: The Government welcomed the Leitch review, published in December 2006, and its analysis of the growing importance of skills in a modern economy. A significant part of the Government's role, as set out in more detail in the Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004:2014, is to ensure that the UK produces a healthy supply of people with science, engineering and technology (SET) skills. These skills are vital in helping to achieve the ambition of making Britain the most attractive location in the world for science and innovation. The Government accept there must be a shared responsibility for delivering this ambition; employers, individuals and the Government must all improve their efforts and investment.DTI Economics Paper Number 16, Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Skills in the UK provides 2004 baseline and 2014 projected figures for employment in SET occupations. The table is as follows:

Projected employment in SET occupations in 2014
Occupation 2004 (baseline) 2014 (forecast) Percentage change
Science and technology professionals 947,000 1,121,000 18
Health professionals 277,000 360,000 12
Science and technology associate professionals 593,000 666,000 30
Health associate professionals 1,045,000 1,122,000 7
All other occupations 26,449,000 27,314,000 4

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
141764; 461 c1062-3W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Staff Scientists
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk