Market Structure and Innovation Policies in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This chapter focuses on UK approaches to innovation policies within the devolving nations of which the United Kingdom is formed. Media innovation policies rely strongly on market forces but government policies are in place to promote and incentivize innovation and research and development in industries generally and the media industries. These include publicly financed initiatives involving agencies at both the UK and nations levels. These including supporting innovation networks and skills training, improving access to private financing and operating an innovation investment fund, incentives for research and development, public support through research councils and regional development agencies, improvements to the intellectual property regime, and academic funding to improve innovation and knowledge transfer. The policies evidence systemic thinking about the underlying conditions and needs for achieving innovation, including developing the capabilities for innovation by improving training and education, addressing financial costs of innovation, and developing long-term technological expertise in firms.