Figure 6 traces the pattern of change in the level of R&D; investment over the last five years among the ten largest sectors in the UK1000, as defined by their investment in R&D.; The pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector continues to dominate R&D; spending in the UK1000, but in 2009 it grew much more slowly than in previous years. Software and computer services and technology hardware and equipment firms continued a steady growth in R&D; investment throughout the period. In relative terms, automobiles and parts companies increased their investment the most over last year.
Following a steady growth period, aerospace and defence firms and banks cut their R&D; investment in 2009. Oil and gas producers and food producers fell back to levels of spending recorded two years ago. After years of increasing investment, the fixed-line telecommunications sector first cut its spending in 2008. The decrease in investment continued this year and in absolute terms R&D; spent in the sector fell below values recorded in 2006.
Figure 7 shows the pattern of change in the level of R&D; investment over the last five years across the ten largest sectors in the G1000 (the 1,000 largest corporate spenders on R&D; globally in 2009), defined by their investment in R&D.; Of the big three sectors, only the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sector has continued to grow throughout the period. After years of growth, technology hardware and equipment and automobiles and parts suffered a significant decline in R&D; investment in 2009.
The other large sectors within the G1000 did not record significant changes in 2009. Software and computer services, electronic and electrical equipment, chemicals and aerospace and defence remained largely static compared with results recorded in last year’s Scoreboard, while leisure goods and industrial engineering companies in the G1000 decreased their overall R&D; slightly.
