The British Academy joins cross-sector calls for Conservative leadership candidates to back the UK's world-leading research and innovation sector

The British Academy has joined a cross-sector call for Conservative leadership candidates to back the UK's world-leading research and innovation sector.

Co-signed by the national Academies, businesses, charities, researchers and universities, the letter appeals to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to "ensure the UK remains globally competitive in RDI, pushing to invest 3% of GDP in R&D and deliver a strong, prosperous and healthy future for our economy and society."

The signatories call for a long-term strategic plan to bolster the UK's R&D sector with measures targeting funding, immigration and the tax system. They highlight the need for close cooperation with the international research community and say the first priority should be the UK's association to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research & innovation funding programme.

Read the full letter to the Conservative leadership hopefuls.