Science and technology

London is a world leader in the science and technology sectors and is well placed to compete internationally.

London's strengths in science and technology offer significant competitive advantage with the capital boasting 4,500 world-class researchers and renowned medical and clinical trial centres.

Internationally recognised capabilities in life sciences complement centres of excellence in engineering.

Also, London's academic excellence is underpinned by the greatest concentration of higher education institutions in Europe and four of UK's top six universities ranked by total research income.

London however, like many parts of the UK, has still to take full advantage of these indigenous strengths: business Research and Development (R and D) intensity remains low, issues in the supply of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills prevail and the capital performs poorly in attracting new R and D based businesses due to the fragmented business support offer and expensive facilities.

The London Development Agency's (LDA) Science and Technology team therefore continues its active focus on London's life sciences sector - building on interventions around infrastructure, skills, finance and promotion.

New opportunities for investment and support are being appraised for high growth areas such as energy and environmental technologies and new emergent technologies. And in each sector ensuring the research strengths and expertise in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), National Health Scheme (NHS) Trusts and Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs) contributes fully the economic development of London is a prerequisite.

To this end Catalyst, London's Science and Industry Council, brings together twelve leaders from industry, academia, finance and the public sector, and has been established to advise the LDA on its longer term interventions in science, technology and design.