Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Science Community comment on Science and R&D elements of the Autumn Budget, delivered by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Chi Onwurah, Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said:
“Sustained investment in science, innovation and technology is needed to drive the UK’s economic growth and productivity. When the Government was elected in July, it committed to supporting innovation as part of its mission driven approach.
“It’s vital that UK R&D gets long-term funding to keep up the momentum and level of expertise needed to drive our future prosperity. I welcome the commitment to protect core research funding, as well as the specific investments planned for R&D in high-tech industries like aerospace, automotive, and clean energy.
“The Committee looks forward to scrutinising the Budget in detail. We’ll be examining how the Budget will impact science and technology, and hearing views from across the sector and industry.”
Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:
“I am pleased to hear such positive support for UK R&D and innovation from the Chancellor, and recognition that, if supported, it will drive economic growth. We also know the public care about this, with 70% of people saying it is important for the Government to invest in R&D. Seeing this reflected by Government is unequivocally a good thing.
“Beyond the positive intent, it is the detail we must now turn to. It is reassuring to hear pledges to protect core R&D funding and to increase DSIT’s R&D budget, but it will take time to unpack and understand what this means in practice. We look forward to receiving more detail about DSIT’s budget allocations to enable us to build a fuller picture of the changes announced.”
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive, UK Research & Innovation, said:
“We welcome the Government’s continued commitment to research and innovation in today’s Budget, recognising their crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth, creating jobs, and improving public services for people across the UK.
“We appreciate the Chancellor’s prioritisation of research and innovation, given the difficult choices to be made on public expenditure. We will work closely with the Secretary of State, Science Minister, across government and with our research and innovation partners to maximise the impact of our investments and create a strong platform for an ambitious programme of research and innovation in the multi-year Spending Review next Spring.”
Dr John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, says:
“The Chancellor’s first budget was a difficult balancing act, and we are pleased to see a long-term commitment to research and innovation, which is proven to help business, productivity and growth. We know the pressures on public finances that put government spending on research and development in the spotlight, and also that R&D spending is the catalyst for economic success. We welcome the commitment to protect government investment in R&D, and the acknowledgement of the key role that the UK’s National Academies play in driving innovation in engineering, biotechnology and medical science. It is now up to the Science, Engineering and Technology sector to work with the government to deliver the innovation and growth needed to unlock investment and create jobs.”
“With sustained investment in innovation and entrepreneurship, the UK is well placed to leverage its impressive engineering and technology strengths to sustain business confidence, catalyse investment and power growth, and ultimately improve our public services and productivity.”
“The economy can only grow if the infrastructure that underpins it keeps pace with its needs – we welcome the £100bn additional investment over the next five years to fund public infrastructure, and the boost this will give to UK capabilities and regional development.”
On the NHS funding announcements in the Budget, Director of Evidence and Implementation at Cancer Research UK, Naser Turabi, said:
“The fact that the NHS has received additional funding in today’s budget for day to day spending and investment is good news. It’s no secret that our health service is struggling, and record numbers of cancer patients are having to wait longer than they should to begin their treatment. Funding, coupled with reform, will be vital to bringing waiting lists down.
“But the new government will only be able to turn things around with effective planning and sustained funding. The development of a long-term health plan is promising, but it’s vital that we see a dedicated cancer strategy alongside this. Other countries like Denmark have proven that they can help save lives, and transforming outcomes for cancer patients will go a long way towards fixing the NHS in England as a whole.”
On the research funding announcements in the Budget, Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK, Dr Owen Jackson, said:
“It is good news that the Chancellor has committed to protecting R&D funding in this Budget. A strong R&D system is essential to prosperity of the UK and health of the nation.
“The UK is unusual in that nearly two thirds of non-commercial cancer research is funded by charities like Cancer Research UK. We will continue to work in partnership with government and the private sector to build on the UK’s strengths in life sciences and cancer research, and to advocate for increased funding for these vital areas over the coming years. Continued partnership relies on sustained investment in research over the long term.”
Sharon Todd, CEO of UK-based Innovation Network SCI, said:
“R&D relief being maintained won’t turn the UK into a science superpower – only a material increase will help a sector that is so vital to scaling up and economic growth.
“Whilst it would be nice to think that industry would mushroom out of the ground and create value for the UK through the development of new medicines, fuels and technologies, that is not going to happen without greater support for research, development and commercialisation. Global competition means even start-up companies innovating products and ideas for our sustainable future are leaving for overseas.
“The opportunity is now. A strategy for industry is one thing, but with huge tax incentives in Europe and the US, the UK is set to miss out on the 240,000 extra jobs and $230 billion of added value the clean tech and life sciences revolutions could otherwise bring the UK in the next five years.”
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