Survey reveals fast-growing sectors

Business leaders have forecast cleantech and renewables to be the two fastest-growing industries in the UK economy, according to a survey by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

The study, which questioned 307 business leaders in eight sectors, found that almost half of the respondents expected cleantech to expand significantly by 2020, while 20 per cent predicted science and technology to be the fastest-growing sector. In addition, the majority (73 per cent) agreed that businesses need to work alongside the government to encourage the development of skills that would bring the country out of recession.

Lord Drayson, science and innovation minister, said: ‘Cleantech and renewables will play a huge part in helping the UK economy to grow sustainably, but we need to do more to encourage innovation in these and other high-tech sectors. That means recognising our best innovators - those who are creating the household names of tomorrow. The iawards will do just that, this inaugural year and in years to come.’