Relief in sight

Getting money back from Gordon Brown rather than watch it flow out the other way sounds innovative indeed. Happily for technology-led businesses, innovation in the form of R&D can bring about this blissful state. Less happily, many appear to have no idea that the bounty is on offer.

When Brown's nine-year stint as chancellor finally ends in a move next door or a spell in opposition, the R&D tax credit will be one of the policies most closely identified with his time at Number 11.

The chancellor has made raising productivity a personal crusade and tax relief measures designed to encourage innovation are a key weapon in his arsenal.

Compared with some of his other initiatives, the tax relief has been uncontroversial. Rewarding companies that invest in R&D to improve their performance - and in the longer term contribute to the

's competitive position - would be hard to oppose.