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Scientists comment on the £86bn R&D package unveiled by the Chancellor ahead of the Spending Review.
Sharon Todd Chief Executive at historic science charity SCI, said:
“We very much welcome the government’s commitment to putting science at the heart of the forthcoming industrial strategy. At £86bn, this is real money targeted at the right scientific and technological advances, such as new drug treatments and AI.
“However, what is critical is that a significant proportion of funds are dispensed to actively support the scale up of new technologies to full scale manufacture in the UK. Our research has shown significant ‘innovation leakage’ and the investment we make in science needs to feed back into the economy.”
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, UKRI Chief Executive, said:
“This multi-year settlement confirms the government’s continued commitment to the critical role of research and innovation in delivering a high-productivity, high-growth economy, improving public services and creating high-quality jobs across the UK.
“The new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund is a welcome boost for this endeavour, ensuring that local communities across the UK can contribute to and benefit from a thriving research and innovation ecosystem.”
John-Arne Røttingen, chief executive of Wellcome, the UK’s biggest non-governmental research funder, said:
‘The government rightly acknowledges that investing in science and technology is a key way to boost the economy.
‘But while it’s positive under the financial circumstances, a flat real-terms science budget, along with continuing barriers such as high visa costs for talented scientists and the university funding crisis, won’t be enough for the UK make the advances it needs to secure its reputation for science in an increasingly competitive world.
‘The UK should be aiming to lead the G7 in research intensity, to bring about economic growth and the advances in health, science and technology that benefit us all. We look forward to seeing the full details at the spending review.’
Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities commented:
“Today’s announcement of £86 billion for research and innovation is a welcome vote of confidence in the UK’s R&D sector, and the role it plays in driving economic growth right across the country.
“We know government faces difficult decisions on spending with tight fiscal constraints. We’re therefore pleased to see investment in the critical contributions that science and innovation can make to the lives of people throughout the UK – from breakthrough medicines and next-generation batteries, to AI technologies and advanced manufacturing. We await the full details of the settlement, but it’s encouraging to see recognition of the existing R&D strengths in different parts of the UK, with plans to go further to transform regional prosperity.
“Our universities are already delivering in the high-growth sectors that will drive the Industrial Strategy, boost productivity and improve public services. We will continue using our research, innovation and skills as engines for growth, ensuring this new investment pays dividends for the national economy and for local communities for decades to come”.
Adrian Smith, President the Royal Society, said:
“We have to be cautious as there is very little detail in the announcement but it does look like the core science budget could increase by 10% over the next four years. In difficult financial circumstances, that would be a vote of confidence in research and innovation and in the people and ideas that will increase productivity, drive growth and improve lives across the UK.
“Such an uplift would protect science from real terms cuts in the coming years and hopefully lay the ground for real terms increases once the country’s finances improve.
“This looks to be a positive outcome, but we must await the full details in the Chancellor’s speech on Wednesday.”
Nicola Perrin, Chief Executive of the Association of Medical Research Charities, said:
“Given the tough financial climate and many competing priorities, it’s fantastic to see the Government backing research and innovation. This is a smart investment – it will not only drive economic growth and productivity, but will also benefit patients across the country and unlock new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. We look forward to seeing more detail and, most importantly, how this funding will secure the fundamental building blocks that underpin UK R&D.”
Professor Andrew Morris, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:
“This is exactly the kind of long-term thinking our healthcare sector and economy need. The investment signals the UK’s commitment to remaining a global leader in medical research and innovation. By backing science, the Government is investing in a healthier, more prosperous future that will bring economic growth and benefit generations to come.”
Tony McBride, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Institute of Physics, said:
“It’s good to see the government recognise the power of science and innovation to transform lives and grow prosperity in every part of the UK.
“But to fully harness the transformational potential of research and innovation – wherever it takes place – we need a decade-long strategic plan for science. This must include a plan for the skilled workforce we need to deliver this vision, starting with teachers and addressing every educational stage, to underpin the industrial strategy.
“We hope that the Chancellor’s statement on Wednesday will set out such a vision.”
Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:
“It is pleasing to see the Government continue to recognise UK R&D as a driving force behind economic growth. Based on OBR forecasts for inflation, the spending plans announced today would appear to be broadly flat in real terms. While not the ambitious settlement we called for, in these difficult fiscal circumstances it is positive that the R&D budget has been protected. However, the detail is important, and we will need to wait for the full spending review announcement on Wednesday before we can offer a considered analysis.”
Embargoed press release from DSIT entitled ‘Transformative £86bn boost to science and tech to turbocharge economy, with regions backed to take cutting-edge research into own hands’, was under embargo until 00:01 UK time on Sunday 8 June 2025
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