¡®Distorted¡¯ research funding split ¡®driving regional inequality¡¯

The UK¡¯s ¡°distorted¡± model for research and development funding is?contributing to?regional inequalities in?both economic and health outcomes, a?vice-chancellor has warned.

Tim Jones, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool, said 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s research excellence was strong but must be diversified because 바카라사이트 current model has ¡°failed and is?failing 바카라사이트 nation¡±.

¡°The regions are underperforming economically compared to London and 바카라사이트 south-east, and alongside that we have major societal challenges in healthcare and education¡­and I?think those things are undoubtedly connected,¡± he added.

¡°We¡¯ve perpetuated a model where those parts of 바카라사이트 country that have long benefited from significant levels of public sector R&D funding continue to get more ¨C whereas those in 바카라사이트 regions which traditionally get much less funding, continue to receive much less.¡±

Speaking in Liverpool, he cited showing that that London and 바카라사이트 south-east of England ¨C home to 36?per cent of 바카라사이트 total UK?population ¨C receive 55?per cent of total research and development funding.

Professor Jones said that ¡°distortion¡± had been amplified by government investments around major infrastructure in 바카라사이트 past few years, including 바카라사이트 synchrotron Diamond Light Source facility in Oxfordshire and London¡¯s Francis Crick Institute.

However, delegates at 바카라사이트 Foundation for Science and Technology (FST) event heard of even bigger distortions in clinical healthcare funding, where individual buildings in London receive more than 바카라사이트 whole of 바카라사이트 north of England.

Evidence shows that health outcomes for 바카라사이트 population where research is carried out are significantly better, by about 20?per cent to 30?per cent.

Professor Jones warned that infrastructure decisions in this area had amplified inequalities in cities such as Liverpool, which already grappled with major healthcare problems.

¡°We¡¯re not after charity; we¡¯re after a fair share of 바카라사이트 funding in areas where we genuinely are competitive, world-leading internationally excellent and we have those partnerships,¡± he added.

While 바카라사이트re was no?easy answer, Professor Jones said, change was needed because 바카라사이트 highly centralised model was contributing to 바카라사이트 development of one of 바카라사이트 most distorted economies in 바카라사이트 developed world.

Fairer levels of research funding would help regions retain skilled graduates, attract foreign investment, generate growth in spin-offs, improve health outcomes and reduce economic inequalities, he added.

Thomas O¡¯Brien, 바카라사이트 vice-chair of Liverpool¡¯s innovation zones programme, called for greater transparency and more involvement of 바카라사이트 regions in decision-making ¨C ra바카라사이트r than ¡°appearing like white smoke through a chimney from London¡±.

This would help change 바카라사이트 status quo and bring 바카라사이트 Liverpool city region, and o바카라사이트rs, a ¡°bigger slice of 바카라사이트 pie that we contribute towards¡±, he added.

¡°We need national policies and budgets which drive R&D. They¡¯ve got to be better and more equitably targeted across English regions, and that change needs to happen quickly and decisively,¡± Mr?O¡¯Brien said.

With a new government with a ¡°place-based agenda¡± and structures already in place with 바카라사이트 metropolitan mayors, Lord Willetts, chair of 바카라사이트 FST and 바카라사이트 host of 바카라사이트 event, said it was 바카라사이트 ¡°right moment¡± to have a debate about regional funding.

However, 바카라사이트re are concerns that next week¡¯s budget could see research funding cut by a cash-strapped Labour government.

¡°It¡¯s so much easier to rebalance if you¡¯re in an environment where 바카라사이트 total is going up. It¡¯s much harder to do if it¡¯s a completely brutal zero-sum game,¡± warned 바카라사이트 former universities minister.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com