From the steam engine to the World Wide Web, the U.K. has long been a scientific pioneer. Now, Rishi Sunak’s government is determined to secure the U.K.’s place as a “science and technology superpower by 2030.” In doing so, he could also help transform foreign aid from the U.K.

In a bid to secure scientific-superpower status, Sunak created the brand new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in February 2023. He has already committed up to £3.5 billion to the department.

A recent DSIT policy paper outlines how the international outlook of this new department, gives the U.K. scope to “shape the global landscape.” Specifically, it mentions prioritizing “research and development in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget”.

DSIT’s partnership with ODA could prove transformative to the U.K. foreign aid approach. What is more, rethinking the role of science in ODA might be an opportunity to achieve more by spending less.

With this in mind, here are three ways DSIT is looking to transform foreign aid from the U.K.:

1. Building Bridges with the Developing World: DSIT’s policy paper also emphasized its plan to “facilitate long-term research and infrastructure partnerships.” In concrete terms, this means establishing good relationships with scientists all over the world, including the developing world. Accordingly, the Director of the Institute of Development Studies, Melissa Leach, said that the new department could help combine the U.K.’s funds and scientific know-how with the “lived experience” of local scientists of low-income countries. These deepened relationships could, therefore, be a catalyst for providing better solutions to poverty problems. Leach points to the containment of Ebola outbreaks in Uganda as proof that building a science-based relationship works. In this instance, Ugandan social scientists worked with British epidemiologists to come up with effective policy ideas to help contain Ebola among gatherings of friends and family. These initiatives not only help countries like Uganda but helps the U.K. too. As the DSIT policy paper recognizes, “expanding the U.K.’s network of Tech Envoys” can help “build our diplomatic network”. In other words, building scientific bridges could be a boost to the U.K.’s soft power.
2. Innovating Poverty Action: Foreign aid from the U.K. does not just have to be about giving money. In fact, at a time when the U.K. government is downsizing foreign aid budgets, it is crucial to find other ways to help low-income countries. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change suggests that one such way could be through DSIT sharing scientific research. Using these “new diplomatic networks”, the U.K. could share its science to the advantage of developing countries. For instance, as a leader in gene editing, this could include sharing scientific knowledge on how to increase crop resistance in severe weather conditions – an especially vital issue in today’s climate crisis.
3. Speeding up the Transition to Net Zero: Dr. Emily Grossman, bestselling science author and co-founder of Scientists for Extinction Rebellion, told the Independent that this new Science Department could be a key opportunity for the U.K. to wean itself off of fossil fuels. Grossman not only said the department could spearhead clean energy innovations, but also plug the “greens skill gap.” She said, “We currently don’t have enough people trained in the relevant skills needed for a new ‘green economy’. For example, plumbers who can install heat pumps.” DSIT could help train British personnel. This matters because the U.K. is currently the second-highest greenhouse gas emitter in Europe. Hence, strong climate action from the U.K. could go a long way in fighting climate change, an issue that has more negative effects on impoverished countries and communities.

Overall, the creation of DSIT presents exciting opportunities for Britain and the U.K.’s foreign aid efforts. Its future actions could also demonstrate how domestic government policies on science can help tackle poverty internationally.

– Sam Rucker
Photo: Unsplash

Austria, a small Central European country with a population of nearly 9 million people, is a middle-performing European nation according to OECD metrics that evaluate a variety of economic and living standards. In the past 20 years, Austria’s population has only modestly increased, which, along with a rise in the average lifespan, has caused Austria’s demographics to become “top-heavy.” Consequently, older individuals now comprise a substantial portion of the population. Despite Austria’s multi-pillared social safety net, the elderly in the country do not receive enough income through earnings or pensions to make ends meet. Here are four facts about elderly poverty in Austria.

4 Facts About Elderly Poverty in Austria

1. Increasing Poverty Risk Among the Elderly: Indicators show that the elderly population at risk of poverty in Austria bottomed out in 2017 at 12.1% before rising consistently to their current level of 14.9% — possibly an effect of COVID-19. The elderly dependency rate, a measure of the economically inactive elderly population (65+) compared to the working-age population (15 to 64), is anywhere from 23% to 36%. 
2. The Elderly Poverty Experience in Austria is Not Equal: Austria experiences a 37% difference in gender pension receipts for people 65 years and older. Much of the difference is due to gender work and pay disparities common throughout the developed world. Austrian women spend more years out of the workforce in child-care roles, earning less over the course of their lives as a result. They also may be more likely to engage in part-time rather than full-time work. Due to the Austrian pension system’s reliance on an individual’s prior employment, women typically receive significantly lower payments than men. A significant 11.4% of women are not entitled to receive pensions. 
3. The Pension System is Expensive and Difficult to Maintain: It is not merely the number of older people that is a concern. As the ratio of elderly to young increases, it is getting more challenging for Austrian workers to support their elders. Just before the pandemic, Austria was spending nearly 30% of its GDP on social benefits. This number eventually rose to more than a third of the country’s GDP as a result of COVID-19. In 2022, Austria had 1.9 million retirees and 3.7 million employees.
4. Little to No Savings for the Elderly: Roughly 30% of Austria’s elderly living in poverty are unable to save even small amounts of money for personal use or emergencies. When confronted by unplanned outlays, they often have to make sacrifices by cutting down on heating, food or other necessities.

Ongoing Efforts

Austria and other developed European countries face a significant demographic crisis, which is a fundamental problem underlying the issue of elderly poverty. Fortunately, positive changes are underway. For example, the retirement age for women will gradually increase to match that of men by 2030. Women, who generally live longer, may work longer and contribute more to the social pension system while requiring less funding or support.

Additionally, the Austrian government is making significant efforts to address elderly issues such as social isolation, ageism and personal independence. Some initiatives focus on improving digital literacy and provide retraining with new skills to help make older people more marketable and economically viable. These programs enable people to stay in the workforce longer, leading to higher earnings and better preparations for retirement.

Looking Ahead

Austria is making efforts to ease the burden on the younger generation to support the elderly. The government is also working to implement systems that enable the elderly to be more independent. Overall, policies devoted to increasing the share of women in the workforce, easing their return to work after long maternity leaves, or guaranteeing equal wages could be necessary.

– Paul Phelan
Photo: Wikipedia Commons