Coalition government to support hi-tech laboratories

Hi-tech laboratories are to receive the support of the coalition government through research and development (R&D) tax credits.

In their policy document The Coalition: our programme for government, the two parties that form the progressive alliance outline their intentions for the coming five years.

Among the pledges made by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, forged in the weeks since the May 6th general election, they reveal that R&D tax credits are to be refocused.

This will target them at smaller firms, start-ups and laboratories dedicated to research in the hi-tech industries.

Funding for universities is also mentioned, as the two parties plan to support the academic integrity of studies conducted within educational institutions using public finances.

Animal testing is to be reduced within the scientific community - and abolished in the production of household goods.

Finally, within the health industry, the parties outline their plans to focus research on discovering more about dementia.