News story

Funding for science and research

Commenting on the allocations, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “Our world class science and research base is a key national…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Commenting on the allocations, Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:

“Our world class science and research base is a key national asset, critical to promoting economic growth and to improving all our lives.

“Despite the considerable pressure on public spending we have delivered stable funding. A ring-fence around science and research programmes - including for the first time HEFCE research funding - will provide stability and certainty.

“We have taken the decision to delay some capital investment to maximise investment in research projects and people actually doing research. This enables us to continue to support researchers pushing the boundaries of knowledge across all disciplines, while also ensuring Research Councils, HEFCE, the UK Space Agency and National Academies are able to plan effectively their future investment in facilities and key projects.

“This is a strong settlement which demonstrates the importance the Coalition Government places on science and research.”

The allocations will provide funding for:

  • the new UK Space Agency - to put it on a firm footing to develop space infrastructure, products and services;
  • exciting new research such as;
    • MRC: pilot new approaches to treatment of traumatic injuries in military and civilian settings
    • British Academy: supporting rigorous, quantitative methods in the humanities and social sciences
    • New Cross-Council programme on Global Food Security

The Government intends to announce during 2011 the allocation of funding to a small number of further projects on the 2010 Large Facilities Roadmap.

Notes to Editors

  1. A statement on the Haldane Principle was published as an Annex to the allocations.
  2. Academic and business leaders were consulted during the spending review and allocation process. These allocations reflect their advice to not significantly alter the broad balance of funding for Research Councils, HEFCE and Academies.
  3. Full details of the publication can be found at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/topstories/2010/Dec/science-research-and-hefce-funding
  4. BIS’ online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

Notes to Editors

Contact Information

Name BIS Press Office Job Title

Division COI Phone

Fax

Mobile

Email NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Name Michael Gibbs Job Title

Division Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Phone 020 7215 1635 Fax

Mobile

Email michael.gibbs@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Published 20 December 2010