Written question WQ85018

Science, research and innovation are fundamental to addressing many of the major challenges we face today – from the coronavirus pandemic to tackling climate change. These are global issues, needing a coherent, co-ordinated, collaborative approach.

This is reflected in the First Minister’s Written Statement on 23 November setting out our five priorities for research, development and innovation.

Science, as a cross-cutting policy theme, feeds into our initiatives and plans in several policy areas, for example climate change, Net Zero, the environment and health. Science will also be a significant strand in the cross-government Innovation Strategy, which is currently being developed.