2024 General Election: Our priorities for the next UK government
Research and development, education and sustainability are our three priorities for the next UK government as we reveal our policy asks ahead of the forthcoming General Election.
The publication of a new policy briefing today marks the next phase of our push to elevate science and technology up the political agenda ahead of this year's vote. There is also a new page on our website detailing our calls in full.
Our work has seen us develop a list of more than three dozen actions that, if adopted, can help the UK and the wider world by effectively utilising the power of chemistry. The three overarching asks for those in the next UK government are that they:
1. Create an ambitious, inclusive, and stable R&D policy environment for UK science and innovation
2. Ensure a world-class chemistry education for all
3. Implement a strategic, science-informed approach to sustainability, chemicals and a circular economy of materials.
Members are also urged to write to their prospective parliamentary candidate to ensure parliamentarians appreciate the strength of feeling from across the chemical sciences community.
Research conducted for the RSC shows chemistry's profound impacts on the UK economy, with the workforce contributing £83 billion to UK GDP and £29 billion to GVA. Chemistry can also tackle a host of societal and environmental issues as we have shown through a myriad of campaigns in recent years.
Months of work have already gone into determining what we most want to see from the major political parties. All three calls - broken down into a series of smaller points - are the result of evidence-based research and regular consultations.
While no date has yet been announced for the General Election, our Parliamentary Affairs team has already been working to convey the views of RSC members in Westminster and beyond to parliamentarians from across the political spectrum.
- Read more about our list of priorities on our special General Election 2024 webpage. You can also review and download the full policy briefing.
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