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Become scientists, PM urges young Become scientists, PM urges young
(19 minutes later)
Britain must "stand up for science" by encouraging youngsters to aspire to become scientists, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said. Britain must encourage young people who want to "change the world" to become scientists, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
He stressed the importance of Britain's knowledge-based economy and said that, to keep it competitive, more scientific pioneering was needed.He stressed the importance of Britain's knowledge-based economy and said that, to keep it competitive, more scientific pioneering was needed.
Mr Blair said funding for research had increased since Labour came to power.Mr Blair said funding for research had increased since Labour came to power.
But the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, accused the government of "stifling" scientific innovation.But the Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne, accused the government of "stifling" scientific innovation.
In the latest of a series of speeches setting out what he sees as the key challenges facing Britain in the decades ahead, Mr Blair focused on the central role of science in delivering prosperity for the future.In the latest of a series of speeches setting out what he sees as the key challenges facing Britain in the decades ahead, Mr Blair focused on the central role of science in delivering prosperity for the future.
Our future lies in a knowledge economy, that's the way we will win Tony Blair 'The brilliant light of science'Our future lies in a knowledge economy, that's the way we will win Tony Blair 'The brilliant light of science'
He said that he had always stood up for and defended scientists and that he would continue to do so. He told an audience in Oxford that he had always stood up for and defended scientists and that he would continue to do so.
Mr Blair admitted that he was a poor science pupil at school and had thought the subject was for "boffins" and those "devoid of emotions".Mr Blair admitted that he was a poor science pupil at school and had thought the subject was for "boffins" and those "devoid of emotions".
But he said he was now "practically 'born again' on the subject" and said the UK needed to become a "magnet for scientific endeavour".But he said he was now "practically 'born again' on the subject" and said the UK needed to become a "magnet for scientific endeavour".
He called for better links between universities and business and said scientists should be revered as much as sports personalities.He called for better links between universities and business and said scientists should be revered as much as sports personalities.
'Crisis''Crisis'
On Thursday, Mr Blair visited the Diamond synchrotron "super microscope" - which uses super-bright X-rays to probe the structure of matter - and Britain's fist vegetable vehicle oil producer, both in Oxfordshire. But Mr Osborne, speaking as he visited high-technology businesses in Cambridge, accused the government of stifling scientific creativity with central control of funding.
He described both as science projects helping to boost the UK economy. "In 1997, just two per cent of the science budget was controlled centrally, with the remainder handled by committees of scientific experts.
"Our future lies in a knowledge economy; that's the way we will win," he said during the trip. "But as a result of Gordon Brown's command and control approach, over 20% of science spending is now controlled from Whitehall. That is stifling innovation and creativity."
He also accused Mr Blair's government of failing on science teaching.
"Two-thirds of those who teach physics to 15-and 16-year-olds do not have a degree in physics, and one third do not even have an A-level in the subject."
Liberal Democrat science spokesman Evan Harris welcomed extra funding.Liberal Democrat science spokesman Evan Harris welcomed extra funding.
"But an A-grade on funding has been thrown away by the prime minister by the squeeze on university science departments, causing several to close," Mr Harris added."But an A-grade on funding has been thrown away by the prime minister by the squeeze on university science departments, causing several to close," Mr Harris added.
"A crisis in science teacher recruitment has led to a dearth of good applicants taking hard science at A-level and at university, reinforcing the shortage of good graduates to teach in schools.""A crisis in science teacher recruitment has led to a dearth of good applicants taking hard science at A-level and at university, reinforcing the shortage of good graduates to teach in schools."
A-level science entriesA-level science entries
However figures from the Department for Education and Skills show that, while the number of students taking science A-levels has steadily fallen over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in some sciences in recent years.However figures from the Department for Education and Skills show that, while the number of students taking science A-levels has steadily fallen over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in some sciences in recent years.
Entries for biology A-level in England were up from 43,902 in 2003 to 45,664 in 2005.Entries for biology A-level in England were up from 43,902 in 2003 to 45,664 in 2005.
Chemistry has also seen a rise in A-level students - 31,065 entries in 2003 compares to 33,164 in 2005.Chemistry has also seen a rise in A-level students - 31,065 entries in 2003 compares to 33,164 in 2005.
But the figures show the number of young people sitting A-level physics in England has continued to fall.But the figures show the number of young people sitting A-level physics in England has continued to fall.
Entries for 2005 (24,094) were the lowest for the past 10 years. The peak number of entries was in 1998 at 29,672.Entries for 2005 (24,094) were the lowest for the past 10 years. The peak number of entries was in 1998 at 29,672.
'Not too late''Not too late'
Science enthusiast Johnny Ball criticised the national curriculum for being too "thin" and he said lessons were "boring gifted children very early".Science enthusiast Johnny Ball criticised the national curriculum for being too "thin" and he said lessons were "boring gifted children very early".
He said that even children at primary school were being turned off by science.He said that even children at primary school were being turned off by science.
But he said if youngsters were targeted in the GSCE years (Key Stage 4), when they were beginning to think about career choices post education, it was not too late to encourage them to take up science options.But he said if youngsters were targeted in the GSCE years (Key Stage 4), when they were beginning to think about career choices post education, it was not too late to encourage them to take up science options.
"If you can kick them in the right direction, you can enthuse the kids towards science even at that late stage," he said."If you can kick them in the right direction, you can enthuse the kids towards science even at that late stage," he said.