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The government is making sustained progress in implementing its 10-year vision for science and innovation, a new report reveals.

The fifth annual Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014 report for 2009, published yesterday by the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills (BIS), outlines the latest achievements that have enabled the UK to become a world leader in research and emerge as a powerhouse for innovation.

Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Drayson has welcomed the report?s positive findings. ?The evidence is clear ? record levels of investment have helped us to build a world-class, sustainable research base,? he says. ?However, we need to maintain this progress and continue to invest in talent, science and innovation. Our future depends on it.?

The UK remains second only to US in worldwide scientific excellence, despite increasing competition from other countries. It is also the most efficient and productive nation for research in the G8.

Key highlights include:

? The UK?s continued strong performance in delivering world class, sustainable research demonstrates that recent investments in research infrastructure have paid off;

? Knowledge transfer and commercialisation activities from the science base have been firmly established across the university sector and within Research Councils.

? There have been encouraging increases in the proportion of young people reaching expected levels in science and mathematics. Applications for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at university have also grown.

? The UK?s strengths in the services and creative industries ? where innovation is less likely to be picked up in indicators such as R& D ? mean that overall the UK?s innovation performance is understated.