New science department alone ‘won’t solve R&D problems’

But it will create “an opportunity” to remedy UK’s inability to stimulate innovation, says expert

The formation of a new government science department, announced today, “will not solve” the UK’s inability to stimulate innovation, but it will create an “opportunity” to do so, a policy expert has told peers.

Graeme Reid, a professor of science and research policy at UCL, said boosting the political profile of research and innovation would “help”, but only if it was followed by “stronger relationships” between the various elements of government that affect R&D.