The UK Government has just announced the funding of £13.9 billion for research and development (R&D) projects, aimed at transforming industries and improving lives across the country.
Hospitals and trusts across the UK could be charged an additional £2 million per month for energy bills in the winter, due to national fuel costs surges.
Asbestos in over 300,000 public sector buildings continues to put lives at risk. Recommendations to the government for its removal over the next 40 years have been ignored, says Liz Darlison of Mesothelioma UK and Helen Childs, Partner at RWK Goodman.
Medical cannabis remains difficult to attain in healthcare under the British government, but it holds great promise for both NHS patients and the economy.
Philip Young, Director of Policy, Research & Strategic Engagement, Digital Catapult, argues that we’re at the dawn of a cyber-physical internet. Governments globally must lead the way, he says.
What does effective digital transformation look like? The UK needs to grow its digital economy to suit all of the job opportunities predicted to rise in the next few years – but a world-leading skills framework is needed.
While a lack of funding has been a key barrier, the need to integrate legacy systems and the mammoth scope of many projects have also slowed down progress. On top of this, the failure of some iconic digital projects has created a hesitancy to adopt new technology.
