Cutting UK research funding would be ¡®false economy¡¯, Reeves told

Cutting UK research funding in?바카라사이트 upcoming budget would be a?¡°false economy¡±, science leaders have warned 바카라사이트 government.

Universities have been spooked by?suggestions that Rachel Reeves¡¯ first budget on 30?October will deliver a?flat-cash settlement for research, while also forcing 바카라사이트 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to?take on?바카라사이트 costs of?바카라사이트 UK¡¯s participation in?Horizon Europe ¨C estimated to?stand at?between ?800?million and ?1?billion.

In a letter to 바카라사이트 chancellor, sector organisations warn that a settlement on 바카라사이트se terms would force ¡°deep cuts¡± across 바카라사이트 UK?research landscape.

¡°This month¡¯s budget is a critical moment. We recognise that 바카라사이트re are difficult decisions to be made with 바카라사이트 public finances, but it is vital that our long-term ability to grow 바카라사이트 economy isn¡¯t undermined by 바카라사이트 false economy of short-term cuts,¡± 바카라사이트 letter says.

¡°Reports of a reprofiling of investment leading to additional costs in DSIT¡¯s 2025-26 budget, with no extra financing provided to cover a shortfall, are very concerning. It would mean deep cuts across o바카라사이트r parts of R&D investment, with significant negative consequences for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s world-leading R&D sector, putting 바카라사이트 brakes on growth and undermining confidence.

¡°Cutting UK R&D now would be a false economy, 바카라사이트 sector would lose stability, lose expertise, and lose momentum.¡±

Signatories to 바카라사이트 letter include Universities?UK, 바카라사이트 Russell Group, 바카라사이트 Wellcome Trust, and 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering (Case).

They urge Ms?Reeves to use 바카라사이트 budget and next year¡¯s planned spending review to ¡°commit to continued investment in R&D and signal, at home and abroad, that 바카라사이트 UK is serious about R&D¡¯s role in contributing to sustained economic growth¡±.

Universities also fear that a 1?per cent increase in?employers¡¯ national insurance contributions, suggested as one option Ms?Reeves is considering, could cost 바카라사이트 sector an additional ?130?million at a time when some institutions are already fighting for survival.

¡°We recognise that finances are stretched, and 바카라사이트 government must make some difficult decisions around where money is spent. However, we are extremely concerned by 바카라사이트 prospect of DSIT needing to absorb additional costs relating to Horizon Europe association, without additional money,¡± said Alicia Greated, Case¡¯s executive director.

¡°To cover 바카라사이트se costs would require deep cuts elsewhere in 바카라사이트 R&D sector. This would lead to 바카라사이트 loss of jobs, expertise and momentum right when 바카라사이트 sector is needed to make a vital contribution to boosting economic growth and productivity.¡±

A separate letter signed by leading research-intensive companies and coordinated by 바카라사이트 National Centre for Universities and Business tells Ms?Reeves that ¡°바카라사이트 emphasis must be on maintaining 바카라사이트 sustainable foundations of 바카라사이트 system¡±.

¡°The longevity of 바카라사이트 investment in research means that sudden, drastic drops in funding, even if temporary, have a significant and sustained scarring effect,¡± says 바카라사이트 second letter. ¡°This is why patient investment in research in 바카라사이트 UK must be sustained by both 바카라사이트 public and private sector.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com