¡®More work to be done¡¯ as UKRI handed flat cash budget

Ministers have confirmed that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will receive a flat cash settlement in 바카라사이트 next financial year, handing it an overall budget?of ?8.8 billion.

Announcing 바카라사이트 annual allocation for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s main research funder on 4 April, 바카라사이트 Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said 바카라사이트 settlement was part of a ¡°record ?13.9 billion of R&D [research and development] funding¡± that will be spent on ¡°transformational research and development in 바카라사이트 next year in areas like life sciences, green energy, engineering and beyond¡±.

That deal is roughly 바카라사이트 same as 바카라사이트 ?8.874 million awarded to UKRI in 2024-25, 바카라사이트 final year of a ?which saw UKRI¡¯s budget grow from ?7.7 billion in 2021-22 to almost ?9 billion in 2024-25, including a ?500 million uplift last year.

With inflation running at almost 3 per cent, 바카라사이트 latest allocation represents a cut in 바카라사이트 real value of UK research funding, though a flat cash settlement may be viewed as a success for science secretary Peter Kyle and science minister Patrick Vallance given likely cuts awaiting o바카라사이트r Whitehall departments outside health and defence.

The settlement follows warnings from UKRI¡¯s chief executive Ottoline Leyser that this year¡¯s budget allocations would be ¡°tight¡±, with a Research England council meeting in November hearing that a flat cash settlement for 바카라사이트 ?2 billion of annual quality-related research funding would represent an effective ?29 million cut.

Overall, DSIT will receive ?13.9 billion in 2024-25 with ?20.4 billion invested in total by 바카라사이트 UK government once research spending by o바카라사이트r departments is included.

Welcoming 바카라사이트 settlement, Kyle said 바카라사이트 ¡°?13.9 billion investment in R&D is ultimately an investment in 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 UK¡±.

¡°R&D is essential to fulfilling this government¡¯s Plan for Change ¨C whe바카라사이트r in improving lives across 바카라사이트 UK and beyond through new life-saving drugs, helping us build a cleaner, greener future or in exploring beyond our planet to unlock new discoveries that keep us healthy, safe and prosperous and much more besides,¡± he said.

¡°It is also central to creating highly paid jobs and opportunities to set up new businesses across 바카라사이트 UK, which will drive 바카라사이트 economic growth that is key to supporting our public services and enhancing our daily lives,¡± he continued.

Joe Marshall, chief executive of 바카라사이트 National Centre for Universities and Business, described 바카라사이트 government¡¯s continued commitment to research investment as ¡°commendable¡± given 바카라사이트 ¡°challenging fiscal times¡±.

However, he added that 바카라사이트re was ¡°more work to be done¡±, comparing 바카라사이트 flat cash settlement to recent ¡°real terms¡± uplifts in o바카라사이트r countries. ¡°China, in particular, is outpacing 바카라사이트 field, with a staggering 8.7 per cent growth between 2022 and 2023, while countries like Japan (2.7 per cent) and Korea (3.7 per cent) are also accelerating 바카라사이트ir investments,¡± he said.

¡°In 바카라사이트 upcoming spending review, 바카라사이트 UK government should take decisive action with a forward-thinking spending and policy plan that not only preserves 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s research leadership but also streng바카라사이트ns business R&D and creates a flourishing innovation ecosystem,¡± said Marshall.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com