Regulators urged to speed up tech trials with £5.5m funding pot – UKTN

Regulators will be encouraged to approve new technologies faster with a £5.5m funding package to trial more efficient processes.

The UK government’s Regulators’ Pioneer Fund will be offered to regulatory bodies as an incentive to speed up the pipeline for tech project approval.

Policy makers have been pushing regulators to adopt a pro-growth approach in support of the Plan for Change strategy.

Regulators and local authorities have been invited to apply for a share of the funding that will support the running of trials of a handful of new tech products and services.

Among the supported projects is an examination of safer ways for drones to operate in airspace, which the government claims could contribute £45bn to the economy, according to research by PwC.

“Smarter, more agile regulation is key to businesses bringing ideas to market faster, while giving the public confidence in new technologies,” said Science Minister Lord Vallance.

“These projects show how regulators can work with industry to unlock breakthroughs – from autonomous drones improving emergency services, to AI that cuts the cost and time spent on clinical trials.”

This marks the fourth round of the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, operated by the Regulatory Innovation Office formed last year to encourage faster public access to new technologies.

The previous round included trials for drone-based medical supply delivery, the use of synthetic data in clinical trials and the introduction of hydrogen-based aviation fuel.

“By backing this kind of innovation, we’re helping to make the UK the best place in the world to launch, test and scale new ideas, and drive the economic growth we need to improve lives and deliver our Plan for Change,” added Vallance.

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