ConservativeHome's ToryDiary

Tories urge £600m investment in a new generation of scientists and engineers

The Conservatives have today urged Alistair Darling to adopt a £600m package to provide more science and training courses for what otherwise could be a lost generation of scientists and engineers.  The package which, the Tories say, will be financed by spending restraint in 2009/10* communicates (1) a concern for potentially unemployed young graduates and (2) also the party's belief that Britain's economic future depends upon much more investment in tech-based industries.

The £600m should be spent in three ways according to the plan's joint authors, David Willetts and George Osborne:

• £350 million to provide funding for 25,000 new Masters Degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• £100 million to fund an extra 50,000 learners aged over 25 in STEM and other subjects
• £150 million to support the thousands of apprentices who risk losing their training place during a recession.

Tim Montgomerie

* The Tories say this scheme is affordable if Labour adopt the Tory plan for reduced growth in spending - a plan that will save approximately £5bn in one year.  The Tories have earmarked the rest of the £5bn for tax incentives to save.

Britain's economy needs rocket science

Speaking to a conference organised by Reform on the decline of maths and science teaching Michael Gove will highlight the importance of science to economic growth and Britain's failure under Labour to prepare for competition from China and India.  Here are four key extracts from his excellent And the answer is Rocket Science speech:

Science is the key to growth: "I love the arts – and Britain’s attractiveness as a nation is built on our artistic heritage and cultural leadership. Design is important – not just a as away of adding value but as a process which makes our life at once easier and richer.  And an emphasis on service is crucial – in a world where time is precious and the public square seems more impersonal, coarser even, anything which makes individuals feel more valued, their needs respected, and which strengthens relationships, is vital.  But the real innovation which will ultimately drive growth in the economy is going to be generated and sustained by science, technology, engineering and mathematics.... To the question – how do we make our futures richer – the answer genuinely is rocket science... The hard sciences are the foundation of growth... They enable growth like nothing else... Whether its new software... New applications for consumer electronics... New methods of getting us from a to b... New methods of limiting damage to the globe... New methods of getting capital to where its needed... New financial instruments... Better tennis rackets... Trainers which are – literally- cooller... New cures for life-threatening diseases... New learning platforms... New versions of Grand Theft Auto... New graphics in the latest Spielberg blockbuster... New hope for the childless... Or sight for the blind and hearing for those in a world of silence... it’s mathematics and science which will generate these innovations – and keep our economy on the path of growth and opportunity."

But science standards in the UK are slipping: "In the most recent international league tables we slipped from fourth to fourteenth in science and 8th to 24th in mathematics.  The fantastic work done by John Marks for Reform’s paper today reinforces the cause for concern about standards.  He points out that questions are less rigorous.  He shows us that exams lead candidates to solutions instead of requiring independent mathematical reasoning.  He demonstrates that traditional algebra and geometry, as well as proper proofs are no longer so central, and by drawing attention to the fact that its now possible to secure a C grade – a pass – with just 20% of questions answered correctly John has blown the whistle on Government claims of relentless improvement."

Fewer Britons are studing maths and science: "The number doing physics A level has fallen by over 50% over the past twenty years.  The number of maths A levels has fallen by 15% in the past decade.  We have fewer than 3,000 physics undergraduates.  The number of physics and chemistry graduates has fallen by over 25% in a decade.  Between 1994 and 2004, more than 30 per cent of the physics departments in Britain disappeared.  And all this has been happening at a time of university expansion overall. So even as more and more people are going to university, fewer and fewer in absolute terms are pursuing these hard science subjects."

Some non-directive policy remedies: "A school system such as we envisage – with greater freedoms for headteachers – would mean in-demand professionals with maths and science qualifications would be able to command much higher salaries for their skills.  We would allow heads to pay higher salaries and bonuses to specialist teachers from day one – within budgets over which they had greater control.  We would also allow heads to enter their students for exams which the Government currently doesn’t allow to count in league tables – such as the IGCSE – so parents and pupils have the opportunity to pursue courses they consider more rigorous and satisfying.  We would reform teacher training to make it easier for scientists, mathematicians and people of real ability to get into the classroom without having to jump through the current academic and bureaucratic hoops."

A PDF of Michael Gove's full speech.

> Tony Emmerson's policy to promote Biology, physics and chemistry, not single science - was accepted as part of ConservativeHome's 100 policies process.

STEM report published (quietly)

Ian Taylor's policy group on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will release its findings today. Click here for the pdf of the full report. It sets out nine objectives:

1. To improve the effectiveness of UK innovation
2. To use public procurement to drive innovation
3. To stimulate UK R&D investment
4. To raise school performance in STEM subjects
5. To create the environment to enable more UK universities to become world-class
6. To improve the UK’s national position in global excellence in science and technology
7. To raise the status of STEM in Britain
8. To tackle the risk-averse culture
9. To establish a Department of Science & Innovation

Alpha Galileo has more synopsis.  Whilst at 16,000 words it's not in the same league as the Social Justice and Quality of Life reports, it's strange that the STEM report hasn't been trailed in the papers or launched at an event. It hasn't even been press released yet.

There's a welcoming statement by David Cameron on the party's website:

"The Conservative Party is acutely aware that science and engineering are key to our national competitiveness - and this substantial report sets out a constructive and effective way forward for these vital industries."

The group's interim report advocated giving prize money to people and organisations that display great innovation.

2.30pm update: The Press Association has covered it now. It highlights proposals to put science labs in primary schools, and to put more money into science teachers' wages and university science departments.

Deputy Editor