IN HIS speech to the 2011 Tory Party Conference, George Osborne highlighted the development of a new wonder-material, ‘Graphene’ by researchers at the University of Manchester. He correctly explained how the material – with its properties of extreme high strength, flexibility and electrical superconductivity – had thousands of potential applications – and that our region was well placed to be the world-leader in ‘Graphene Industries’. He even pledged £50m of funding to assist with its development.

To date, only 1 per cent of the patents for applications of Graphene have been filed in the UK. Firms in the USA, China, Germany and Japan have over 90 per cent of the patents. Even South Korea, a country with a population of two thirds that of our own has filed nearly 25 times the number Graphene patents.

This unfortunate and all too familiar tale of "defeat snatched from the jaws of victory" illustrates perfectly the shortcomings of this and previous governments when it comes to understanding science, technology and industry.

The UK has leading facilities when it comes to scientific research. However, we also have a shortage of engineers to develop these new technologies into saleable products. Research by theInstitute of Engineering and Technology reveals 59 per cent of companies were concerned a shortage of engineers posed a threat to their business preventing them investing in the UK.

Cllr Stuart Hutton CEng MIET UKIP Parliamentary Candidate for Tatton