But it warned that if moves to fund UK science are driven purely by potential commercial application key areas of research and expertise affecting public health and the environment will fall by the wayside.

Prospect’s Head of Research Sue Ferns said: "The Prime Minister focused on the importance of the commercial application of science. Yet equally valuable is the vital scientific work that does not result in direct financial gain.

"For example, long-term monitoring of climate change undertaken by the government’s own scientists underpins the compelling case for action set out in the Stern report. Like too many other areas of public good science this is currently under threat.

"Mr Blair listed many examples of the UK’s scientific achievements, what he didn’t make clear is that most of these originated in the public sector. Following the Prime Minister’s visit to the Diamond synchrotron yesterday he should take the opportunity to visit other excellent and exciting public science facilities.

"He doesn’t need to look as far as the UK Research Council’s office in Beijing for world-class collaboration. It is on his own doorstep, being done by the government’s own scientists."

While welcoming the commitment to support science skills through better scientific education, Ferns said that equal emphasis was needed on careers. "At the moment many of the best scientists graduating from university are lured by higher paid, higher status position in the City."

However she congratulated the Prime Minister’s emphasis on the need for politicians to stand up for science and welcomed the opportunity to explore his new proposals to use public procurement to promote scientific capability.

"But at first glance," she said, "these appear to contradict the evidence given by Defra’s chief scientific adviser to the Science and Technology Select Committee where he suggested that the department could switch its custom for science at will without any regard to the long-term consequences. Scientific skills simply cannot be turned on and off to suit the political needs of the moment."