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Tory group wants Dept of Science | Tory group wants Dept of Science |
(31 minutes later) | |
A Department for Science should be established to raise the profile of the subject among politicians, voters and the media, a Tory task force has said. | A Department for Science should be established to raise the profile of the subject among politicians, voters and the media, a Tory task force has said. |
Consideration should be given to extra laboratories in primary schools, while children should study design and technology until they were 16, it said. | Consideration should be given to extra laboratories in primary schools, while children should study design and technology until they were 16, it said. |
It also called for top civil servants to take "scientific literacy" courses. | It also called for top civil servants to take "scientific literacy" courses. |
David Cameron called it a "constructive and effective" report. He must decide whether to adopt its ideas as policy. | David Cameron called it a "constructive and effective" report. He must decide whether to adopt its ideas as policy. |
The task force was chaired by Ian Taylor, who was a science minister the last time the Conservatives were in power. | The task force was chaired by Ian Taylor, who was a science minister the last time the Conservatives were in power. |
Its report outlined nine objectives to help a future Tory government "put science at the heart of its plans to enhance the prospects of the UK becoming a sustainable and competitive knowledge-based economy". | Its report outlined nine objectives to help a future Tory government "put science at the heart of its plans to enhance the prospects of the UK becoming a sustainable and competitive knowledge-based economy". |
We have made it very clear that a Conservative government would broaden the approach to science and technology, advancing innovation and raising the esteem of research David Cameron, Conservative leader | We have made it very clear that a Conservative government would broaden the approach to science and technology, advancing innovation and raising the esteem of research David Cameron, Conservative leader |
It said there was an "overwhelming" case for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to have a "single voice" in Whitehall. | It said there was an "overwhelming" case for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to have a "single voice" in Whitehall. |
In education, it recommended that the salaries of teachers of STEM subjects were increased permanently. | In education, it recommended that the salaries of teachers of STEM subjects were increased permanently. |
The student loans of these teachers should be paid off for them, over a five-year period, to encourage more people to go into the profession, it said. | The student loans of these teachers should be paid off for them, over a five-year period, to encourage more people to go into the profession, it said. |
And it called for the refurbishment of university science laboratories to "receive greater priority" when funding was allocated. | |
'Key to competitiveness' | 'Key to competitiveness' |
To improve scientific literacy in the Civil Service, all newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and senior civil servants would sit a specially tailored course. | |
Such training would also be available for MPs and members of the European and Scottish Parliaments, plus the Welsh Assembly. | Such training would also be available for MPs and members of the European and Scottish Parliaments, plus the Welsh Assembly. |
"The Conservative Party is acutely aware that science and engineering are key to our national competitiveness," Mr Cameron said. | "The Conservative Party is acutely aware that science and engineering are key to our national competitiveness," Mr Cameron said. |
"This substantial report sets out a constructive and effective way forward for these vital industries. | "This substantial report sets out a constructive and effective way forward for these vital industries. |
"We have made it very clear that a Conservative government would broaden the approach to science and technology, advancing innovation and raising the esteem of research." | "We have made it very clear that a Conservative government would broaden the approach to science and technology, advancing innovation and raising the esteem of research." |
The report is one of a series by task forces and policy groups set up by Conservative leader David Cameron to examine policy options for the party. Recommendations are not binding. | The report is one of a series by task forces and policy groups set up by Conservative leader David Cameron to examine policy options for the party. Recommendations are not binding. |
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