This report presents the detailed findings of the 2025 UK innovation survey (UKIS 2025) covering the period 2022 to 2024. The survey offers a comprehensive map of how UK organisations have approached innovation, the drivers behind their endeavours, and the outcomes they have achieved as the economy continues to recover and transform in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Executive overview
UKIS 2025 provides a nuanced portrait of innovation activity across sectors, firm sizes, and regional boundaries. The period 2022–2024 captures a pivotal moment: the rebound from the immediate shocks of the pandemic, ongoing technological shifts, and policy catalysts aimed at boosting productivity and competitiveness. The findings reveal both progress and persistent challenges, highlighting where resources, policy support, and collaboration are most effectively translating into tangible innovation milestones.

Key themes and takeaways
– Scope and intensity of innovation activity
The survey tracks a broad spectrum of innovation, from product and service innovations to process and organisational changes. Across the sample, many organisations intensified their innovation efforts during 2022–2024, with notable gains in digital technologies, data analytics, and automation. Yet, the incidence of radical or disruptive innovations remains concentrated in specific sectors and larger firms, suggesting opportunities to broaden uptake among smaller firms and across more regions.

– Drivers of innovation
Organisations continue to cite a mix of internal and external drivers. Market demand and competitive pressures are primary motivators, complemented by regulatory changes, sustainability imperatives, and opportunities arising from digital transformation. Collaboration—whether with customers, suppliers, universities, or research institutes—emerges as a critical accelerant, enabling knowledge transfer and risk sharing.

– Investment and resources
Investment in research and development (R&D), digital capabilities, and human capital remains uneven. Larger firms report higher absolute R&D spend, but small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly adopting external innovation inputs, such as partnerships and networks. Access to finance remains a barrier for some firms, particularly in high-risk or capital-intensive projects, underscoring the importance of targeted financial support and patient capital.

– Capability build and skills
Skills development is a central enabler of innovation progression. Businesses report growing demand for technical competencies in data science, software engineering, advanced manufacturing, and AI governance. The report highlights the value of on-the-job learning, apprenticeships, and collaborative training models to grow a resilient workforce capable of sustaining innovation activity.

– Collaboration and ecosystems
The UK innovation landscape benefits from a diverse ecosystem of universities, research organisations, industry networks, and government programmes. The data indicate that collaborative projects tend to yield higher success rates and better long-term impact, particularly when there is alignment between funders’ objectives and the practical needs of industry partners.

– Regional patterns
Regional disparities in innovation activity persist, though signs of convergence are emerging. Certain regions demonstrate concentrated strengths in particular sectors (for example, technology, life sciences, or advanced manufacturing), while others are expanding capabilities through ecosystem building, digital infrastructure, and place-based partnerships. The findings emphasise the importance of place-focused policies to unlock latent potential in lagging regions.

– Digitalisation and data economy
The digital transformation of operations, products, and services accelerates a wide range of innovations. Organisations report benefits from data-driven decision-making, improved customer experiences, and streamlined operations. However, concerns around data access, privacy, cybersecurity, and governance continue to shape how aggressively firms pursue data-enabled innovation.

– Sustainability and responsible innovation
Climate and environmental considerations are increasingly integral to innovation strategies. Businesses are integrating sustainability targets into product design, supply chains, and business models. The report also stresses the importance of responsible innovation practices, including ethical considerations in AI deployment and transparent governance mechanisms.

– Outcomes and impact
Measured impacts fall into several buckets: productivity improvements, enhanced market reach, new or improved products and services, and strengthened resilience against shocks. While many innovations generate measurable gains, there is a notable portion of projects that require longer time horizons to realise full value, highlighting the need for ongoing support and evaluation.

Implications for policymakers, business leaders, and researchers
– Policymaking: The findings support continued and expanded investment in R&D, alongside targeted support for SMEs and regional innovation ecosystems. Policy should prioritise flexible funding models, access to finance for higher-risk ventures, and mechanisms that incentivise collaboration across academia and industry.

– Business strategy: Firms should prioritise building adaptive capabilities, invest in digital and data competencies, and strengthen external partnerships. A robust approach to governance, risk management, and ethics in AI and data usage is essential as technologies scale.

– Research priorities: There is value in deep-dives into sector-specific innovation dynamics and regional ecosystem analyses. Strengthening longitudinal data collection will improve the ability to track causality and the long-term impact of innovation activity.

Looking ahead
UKIS 2025 illuminates a landscape of ongoing ingenuity, with momentum sustained by a mix of private initiative and public sector enablers. The period 2022–2024 demonstrates both progress in integrating advanced capabilities and the enduring need to lower barriers to participation across the economy. As organisations continue to navigate a complex and evolving environment, the emphasis on collaboration, capability development, and inclusive, place-based innovation ecosystems will be crucial to broadening the reach and impact of UK innovations.

Conclusion
The detailed findings from UKIS 2025 offer a valuable reference point for stakeholders aiming to understand where the UK stands in its innovation journey and where to focus effort to unlock further growth. By capturing the experiences of a diverse array of organisations and regions, the report provides nuanced insights into what works, where challenges persist, and how strategies can adapt to sustain a vibrant, innovative economy into the mid-2020s and beyond.

June 1, 2026 at 10:34AM
官方统计：英国创新调查2025：报告
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/uk-innovation-survey-2025-report
本报告呈现英国创新调查2025（UKIS 2025）在2022年至2024年期间的详细发现。

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