Despite this hopefulness, with the country’s leading biomedical research, engineering biology, space, AI and ocean science discussed across the fringe, the sector was left with real questions about how the UK’s science and research based would be translated into ‘growth in every postcode’.

There was an acknowledgement from the sector and policymakers alike of the structural barriers holding back the UK’s science-led growth. Discussions centred on the problems of scale up investment in the UK, highlighting the pattern of home grown start-ups leaving the UK to deliver the fruits of their research elsewhere. No single policy answer emerged, as MPs pointed to the Industrial Strategy, the British Business Bank, Innovate UK and sandboxing as steps the Government were taking.

Nor was the sector left with clarity on other structural issues facing science, including underinvestment in the fundamental infrastructure that supports research, such as housing and transport. The sector highlighted risks that, even with world-leading innovation like the OxCam corridor, these structural issues have allowed global competitors to race ahead.

Nevertheless, for many MPs, the question was not of the place of UK science in the world but instead how research and innovation can drive growth to every postcode. For those in this space, it is no longer enough to show the impact of research and innovation globally, but also the benefits that this is bringing to a particular local area, the way in which your organisation interacts with Mayors, strategic authorities, and most importantly the impact that your research brings to local communities. Discussions stressed the need for coproduction that helps local communities understand the benefits of investment in science and technology.

With Burnham telling his party to ‘hope again’, the R&D sector will be left wondering whether too much of this ‘hope’ is resting on them. The Government will need to answer questions on how structural barriers facing UK science will be tackled to transform this hope into growth.