Sir James Dyson claims Rishi Sunak’s science superpower pledge is scorching air

Billionaire businessman Sir James Dyson has issued recent criticism of the prime minister, claiming his pledge to show the UK right into a science and expertise superpower is a “mere political slogan”.

The founder and chief engineer of the multinational expertise firm Dyson additionally complained – in a letter to The Times – that he has nonetheless not met Rishi Sunak, regardless of being a significant entrepreneur within the UK.

“Ministers talk hubristically of Britain becoming a ‘science and technology superpower’ but their woeful policies diminish this to a mere political slogan,” he wrote.

“In the UK, Dyson now faces rocketing corporation tax (wiping out any tax credits for research and development)… and a crippling shortage of qualified engineers.”

Read extra:
James Dyson says growth is ‘a dirty word’ for Rishi Sunak’s government
Jeremy Hunt plans for UK to become a ‘science superpower’
Rishi Sunak vows to make UK ‘science superpower’

Mr Sunak’s ambition of turning the UK right into a science superpower post-Brexit has been central to his premiership. A key a part of this was the creation of a brand new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

In January, Sir James accused the federal government of getting a “short-sighted” method to enterprise, warning the prime minister that growth should not be seen as a “dirty word”.

A authorities spokesperson stated that the UK is open for enterprise as an “innovation nation”.

“We boast the biggest tech sector in Europe, reaching a combined market value of £1trn in 2022, we have the lowest corporation tax rate in the G7, and we have world-leading strengths in science and R&D – backed by our £20bn R&D target and introduction of policies like full-expensing,” they stated.

“This will spur stronger growth, better jobs and bold new discoveries, bringing together the key technologies of tomorrow like quantum and AI, into a dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology for the first time.”

During Jeremy Hunt’s autumn budget, the UK’s science and expertise sector survived a a lot feared spending lower – however these within the discipline warned that the federal government might want to do extra to understand the UK’s potential as a “science superpower”.