Programme

Chairman's Reception: 6.45pm to 7.30pm, One Parliament Street.

The UK is a global leader in scientific research and technological innovation, but it struggles to convert this strength into long-term domestic economic value. Parliamentary inquiries have repeatedly highlighted the problem, warning that promising UK technology businesses are frequently acquired by overseas investors or move abroad to access the finance needed to scale.

CIPA's analysis of international Patent Cooperation Treaty applications between 2015 and 2025 provides new evidence of an "innovation ownership gap". While UK inventors generate significant numbers of internationally patented inventions, only 70% of these applications are owned by UK applicant organisations, with 30% filed by overseas companies. This makes the UK an outlier compared with many leading innovation economies and suggests that Britain is less successful at retaining ownership of intellectual property as technologies move towards international commercialisation. IP ownership can influence where investment, manufacturing, skilled jobs, licensing income and taxable profits ultimately reside.

CIPA argues that the challenge is not a shortage of invention, but Britain's ability to protect, finance, commercialise and scale innovation domestically. Many innovative SMEs do not seek patent protection because of cost, complexity and uncertainty, despite the patent profession already providing substantial free support to inventors and businesses.

CIPA recommends a more joined-up government approach: a dedicated IP Minister with cross-government responsibility; earlier and better-integrated IP guidance within business, investment and export support; and stronger assistance for innovative SMEs, including subsidised UK IPO fees and guidance on building international patent portfolios. The objective is to ensure that more of the intellectual property, businesses, investment, skilled employment and economic value generated by British innovation remains anchored in the UK.

Speakers

Fhaheen Khan, Senior Economist at manufacturers' organisation Make UK

Matt Dixon, former President of CIPA and Executive Chair at Beck Greener LLP

Dr Atif Syed, engineer and deep-tech entrepreneur; Founder and former CEO of Wootzano Ltd; Principal of Syhab; and Founder of Dr Syed & Partners

Chairman's Reception: 6.45pm to 7.30pm, One Parliament Street.

'Light: enabling UK growth and resilience'

Guest speaker: Professor Liz Bentley FRMetS, Chief Executive, Royal Meteorological Society

“Extreme Heat in the Workplace - developing effective responses”

“How embedding ethics across the innovation lifecycle - from discovery to regulation and implementation - can strengthen the UK’s science ecosystem”

The meeting will be preceded by the award of the Westminster Medal at 5.05pm.

The Westminster Medal is awarded to the overall winner of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee’s annual STEM for Britain event and is decided from the five gold winners of each discipline. The medal is awarded in memory of the late Dr Eric Wharton, who did so much to establish STEM for Britain as a regular event in the Parliamentary calendar.

“Unlocking the Potential of Robotics and Autonomous Systems: Harnessing technology development, regulatory innovation and ethical considerations to support economic growth.”

“Ocean Science”

“Building a Thriving UK Neurotechnology Ecosystem”

Briefing Link: Read the POST briefing on neurotechnology

P&SC Neurotechnology Meeting

P&SC Neurotechnology Meeting - (no video - smaller file)

“Necessary but not sufficient: why science is only part of the answer to teaching our children about climate change”

Online webinar Monday 1st December at 5.00pm in partnership with the UCL Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education

‘‘Discussion Meeting’’

Details to follow

NQTP on 2 pages

IYQ slides for PSC

Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, House of Lords

‘‘Overcoming Challenges in Patent Protection for UK SMEs’’

5.15pm to 6.30pm, Houses of Parliament

Chairman’s Reception 7.00pm to 7.30pm, Committee Room 4a, House of Lords Committee Corridor, Palace of Westminster

5.15pm

‘Artificial Intelligence’

5.15pm to 6.30pm, Houses of Parliament

‘Exploring public views on assisted dying'

P&SC and the Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Online Discussion

FINAL Exploring public views on assisted dying webinar event write up

NEW Slides for NCOB APPG 31 March final

‘Bioeconomy’

5.15pm to 6.30pm, Houses of Parliament

‘‘Building a Healthcare Science Workforce Equipped to Face the Grand Challenges’’

5.15pm to 6.30pm, Houses of Parliament

Chairman’s Reception 7.00pm to 7.30pm, Committee Room 4a, House of Lords Committee Corridor, Palace of Westminster

Parliamentary Event - Healthcare Science Presentation Victoria Kidgell

ScienceTech-APPG-11thFeb2025-AnnaBarnes

IPEM HofP Prof Dame Sue Hill 1102025 Final

‘‘Communicating risk - what, who, why does it matter?’’

5.00pm, Online Webinar

Webinar Recording

View the Meeting Report