Does Dyson have the answers?

Is Dyson the key?

Dyson's created by Sir James Dyson are one of Britain's best known products, but are they the answer to rebuilding Britain's manufacturing and technology industries? A radical set of proposals aimed at rebuilding these key industries has been published by the vacuum cleaner entrepreneur.

The Dyson report Ingenious Britain - commissioned by the Tories last year - seeks to set out a long-term vision for high-tech industry in the country, with the goal of making the UK the largest exporter of high-tech products in Europe.

The report has called for an overhaul of the start-up funding, a re-routing of the research and development (R&D) tax credits and fresh funding for science and technology in education.

Conservative leader David Cameron has pledged to look at each recommendation with a view to adopting them as policy if the Tories win the general election.

"Backing British engineering and inspiring new talent"

In his report, Dyson stated, "Backing British engineering and inspiring new talent must start with the government. We need to make decisions on big projects like high-speed rail or nuclear power and get on with it. Big projects inspire engineers and universities and children. Instead we get bogged down with endless reports and bickering."

Among the reforms, Dyson has called for the R&D tax credits - many of which have been targeted for scrapping by George Osborne - to be redirected to technology start-ups. He said: "Nearly 70 percent of the tax breaks are claimed by banks and the service industry. These should be scrapped but the ones for hi-tech development should be boosted from 140 percent to 200 percent."

He also recommended boosting the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) relief for 'angel' investors that support technology companies, and a government-guaranteed business loan scheme to encourage more lending by banks to innovative businesses, the British paper The Telegraph reports.

Dyson said change had to start from school. "There is a serious shortage of science teachers," he said. "Children want the challenge of difficult tasks - just look how much better they are than their parents on a computer."

Sir James has called for Government money to be channelled into science education. His suggestions include better pay for science, technology and maths teachers to attract more higher-calibre staff. He has also called for better support in universities and particularly for graduates. One suggestion is to provide engineering undergraduates with industry-sponsored scholarships of GBP£2000 each. Another is that post-graduate research students should have their pay increased from GBP£13,000 a year to GBP£23,000 a year.

Sir James said: "Change must start with the Government."

Jodie Humphries

Jodie Humphries graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons in Creative Writing in 2008. She has worked for GDS Publishing for the digital group since July 2009. She has previous experience with writing for the web, running her own website since April 2007.

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