Turning ambition into action

NCUB Taskforce on business led R&D

Innovation is the lifeblood of the UK economy, but the roadmap for research and development is far from clear. The NCUB’s latest Taskforce report show’s Britain’s business R&D engine is losing momentum. Between 2021 and 2023, private investment fell by 6.3% in real terms: around £3.4 billion less spent on business-led research and development. The Taskforce’s conclusions set out a route to systemic change: focus on fewer, higher-impact priorities; simplify business access to support; and reform institutions for delivery, so the UK can turn ambition into competitive advantage, restoring the UK’s position as a global leader in business R&D.

The Taskforce report emphasises the need for a streamlined, unified support system for innovation. The proposal builds on the UKRI-supported konfer platform to create a single, searchable portal covering research funding, collaboration, facilities, and non-financial support such as advice and skills development. This approach aims to reduce barriers of fragmentation and bureaucracy, by providing one digital “front door” for innovators.

Survey data shows that over a third of SMEs lack time or resources to apply for support, with many unable to find relevant programmes. More than half have no contact with universities, regulators, or Catapults, while large companies face similar challenges due to disconnected schemes. Simplification is essential to boost business-led R&D, increase uptake, and foster collaboration. Seed funds are critical for sustaining partnerships and local innovation, especially as university budgets tighten.

For SMEs, professionals, and policymakers, implementing these reforms can make innovation more accessible, efficient, and impactful. For the UK it promises to unlock the UK’s business-led R&D potential

Read the full report.