Forget Palantir, Microsoft is the government’s real tech problem Opinion MPs are right to warn about the dangers of the public sector’s use of Palantir, but the bigger story is the vice-like grip Microsoft exerts of government IT systems, says Bill McCluggage Palantir, the Peter Thiel-founded data analytics firm with its murky intelligence community roots, makes for an irresistible villain. So it’s no surprise that [...]
The UK chemicals sector is in trouble Opinion From ammonia to plastics, there can be no modern economy without a functioning chemicals industry, and Britain's is in peril.
How universities became a marketplace for academic slop Opinion Pressure to publish papers mean universities have become awash with fake papers and scientific fraud, writes Paul Ormerod.
How Philanthropy Powers Cutting-Edge Science June 23, 2025 Christian May, Morning Wire‘s Editor in Chief, meets experts from Cancer Research UK and the Francis Crick Institute to explore the role of philanthropy in driving breakthrough research and treatment. Cancer remains a formidable challenge. Globally, it’s estimated that 19 million people are diagnosed with cancer every year. And an estimated 10 million die from [...]
Reeves to unveil £86bn science and technology funding in spending review June 8, 2025 Research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries will receive new funding as part of an Chancellor Reeves’ £86bn package for science and technology set to be announced in next week’s spending review. Regions will be handed up to £500m with local leaders given powers to decide how investment is targeted in their communities, the Department [...]
‘Extraordinary denial of reality’: Ricardo shareholder pens open letter amid vote to oust chair May 28, 2025 One of the largest shareholders in transport and energy consultancy Ricardo has blasted the firm’s “blinkered perspective” and “extraordinary denial of reality” ahead of a vote to oust its chair. Science Group, which controls around a fifth of the share capital of the London-listed business, earlier this month called for a general meeting of shareholders [...]
The Debate: Is investing in space tourism irresponsible? April 23, 2025 Blue Origin's star-studded space flight caused more backlash than awe, but is all space tourism frivolous? Two writers hash it out.
New £500m university science grant can ‘commercialise discoveries’ November 13, 2024 The government has announced it will stump up £500m for 4,700 post-graduate engineering and science university places in a bid to drive long-term economic growth. Science and technology secretary Peter Kyle made the announcement today, with universities and industry set to reap the benefits. The scheme will fund 4,700 new places, equating to around £106,000 [...]
The Notebook: How Labour can make the UK a tech superpower July 9, 2024 This Labour government has the power to make the UK a tech and science superpower if it takes these steps, writes Owen Thompson.
No, climate action will not damage business interests June 26, 2024 Green and economic growth come hand in hand, say Sophie Miremadi and Alex O’dell