Foresight Programme (Hansard, 17 June 1998)

§ Mr. Battle

There is substantial activity across a broad front. Shortly after the general election the President of the Board of Trade called for an audit of Foresight activities across Government. The audit provided a baseline against which future agendas could be set and progress monitored.

In response to the audit, a group of Ministers with responsibility for Foresight in Government Departments was set up to provide top-level co-ordination of Foresight across Whitehall. The President of the Board of Trade requested regular progress reports. The first of these was published on 16 June.

The progress report shows that Government departments and public sector organisations have substantially increased their involvement in Foresight over the last six months, to its highest level ever.

The Foresight Steering Group has been restructured to broaden the range of interests represented in Foresight.

The success of projects such as the Foresight Vehicle—which develops technologies for cleaner, greener, and safer cars of the future—and the Clear Zones initiative for innovative urban transport systems, highlights the contribution that Foresight is making to sustained competitive advantage and enhanced quality of life.

The Foresight LINK Awards attracted 91 bids from consortia wishing to pursue projects addressing Foresight priorities. This builds on the earlier Foresight Challenge competition.

Research Councils and Departments are supporting nineteen LINK programmes that reflect Foresight priorities, worth a total of £170 million.

The first of the new SMART Foresight Awards, recognising visionary work in smaller firms, will be made on 17 June.

Proposals for consultation on the next round of Foresight were published in March. Over 35,000 copies have already been distributed. Many of the early responses come from organisations which are new to Foresight.

The next round of Foresight will include a number of cross-cutting themes which reflect the Government's high-level priorities. These include sustainable development, future cities, crime control, and the aging population. Early work to develop plans for particular themes is involving a number of departments.