To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the Lisbon Agenda target of increased investment in research and development activities to 3 per cent. of GDP in EU member states by 2010. (129547)

Every EU member state is working towards a national research and development target. The UK has a target of spending 2.5 per cent. of gross domestic product on research and development by 2014. The target aims for one third funding from the public sector and two thirds from the private sector, which puts a particular emphasis on raising business research investment.

The EU has taken a number of steps to support member states in making progress towards their targets and to create strong framework conditions for business investment. In particular the recently established Framework programme seven will increase direct EU funding for research and development by 75 per cent.

EU Heads of State and Government reiterated the importance of making progress in this area at this month’s European Council.