REFORM REGENERATION RECOVERY

Covid has been an economic catastrophe. Debt is at historic levels. One of the key questions of the next decade is simple: how will we escape? We must look at how to turbo-charge growth. But this cannot be a return to the old boom and bust growth of old. The far harder path is trying to find a way towards long-lasting and structural growth. That is why, when I was Minister for Science, Research and Innovation in the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, I set two missions to drive my work: to make the UK a Science Superpower and an Innovation Nation.

The Reform for Resilience Commission has one overarching goal: To build healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient societies. I established Reform for Resilience to bring together public, private, and academic leaders from around the globe to catalyze greener and healthier growth. Drawing on insights from the fields of health, sustainability, business, and finance, the Commission seeks to drive inclusive growth in societies worldwide.

I founded the Big Tent as a charitable foundation dedicated to creating space for non-partisan conversations about big policy issues and to giving a voice to places and people left-behind, particularly focussed on regeneration. We want to help people in areas that are in need of regeneration unlock their vision, encourage them to move beyond their day-to-day constraints and give voice to what can be done if enough belief, enthusiasm and co-ordination is brought to bear on local opportunities.

Covid has made the levelling up and regeneration agenda even more urgent. The pandemic has been an economic catastrophe, especially for the self-employed and those running small businesses. But it has also brought about a tectonic shift that could revitalise the regeneration debate. The new reality of virtual working and the hub-and-spoke office could enable the reversal of the unhealthy migration of many decades and the ‘brain drain’ to London and offer opportunities to those in ‘left behind’ areas if the right components can be put in place. The second world war led to the creation of the NHS and the welfare state. The pandemic could bring about similar shifts with equally transformative results.

It’s time to embrace a global strategy for British prosperity through global aid, trade and security, based on taking our science and innovation into the fastest-emerging markets to drive sustainable growth. Brexit offers the opportunity for Britain to cement its position as a global leader in science and put innovation right at the heart of a national strategy for post-Brexit success. We have the opportunity to make the UK a crucible for innovative products that will be key to sustainable development abroad.

The Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) was set up to identify and develop proposals for post-Brexit Britain to harness our regulatory freedoms. Working with colleagues across Government, I led the taskforce to identify a range of areas where we can drive innovation and competitiveness, reduce barriers to start-ups and scale-ups, create opportunities for innovation to make the most of cutting-edge technologies, and support growth and dynamism right across the UK economy. I continue to drive this mission forward as the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation.