DSIT Main Estimate memorandum 2024 to 2025
Published 14 August 2024
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This memorandum gives further explanation to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Main Estimate 2024 to 2025. The format of this document follows guidance from the Parliamentary Scrutiny Unit, to provide wider context on the department’s objectives and finances.
1. Overview
1.1 Objectives
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has the following priority outcomes:
-
Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world.
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Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent.
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Put our public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house STEM capability to improve outcomes for people.
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Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world.
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Deliver key legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI.
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Implement the reformed Online Safety Act to keep British people, especially children, safe online.
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Lead the implementation of the Science and Technology (S&T) Framework.
The detail of how spending programmes relate to these priorities is provided in Section 3.1.
1.2 Spending controls
DSIT’s spending is broken down into several spending totals, for which Parliament’s approval is sought.
The spending totals which Parliament votes are:
- Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit (“Resource DEL”) – expenditure within the current financial year, including day to day running costs.
- Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (“Capital DEL”) – expenditure on creating or buying assets, where value will extend beyond the current financial year, which for DSIT includes investment in digital infrastructure, and Research and Development (R&D) spending.
- Resource Annually Managed Expenditure (“Resource AME”) – less predictable day to day spending: in DSIT’s case, mainly movements in the value of provisions and the expenditure of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) Trust.
- Capital Annually Managed Expenditure (“Capital AME”) – less predictable investment spending: in DSIT’s case, pension valuations.
In addition, Parliament votes on the net cash requirement, designed to cover the elements of the above budgets, which require DSIT to pay out cash in year.
1.3 Main areas of spending
The chart below shows the main components of DSIT’s RDEL and CDEL budgets for the year, included in the latest Main Estimate, and the proportions of funds spent on its main activities.
Resource DEL: total budget £0.6 billion 2024 to 2025
| Description | £ million |
|---|---|
| Depreciation | 305.3 |
| Core and agency admin costs | 145.3 |
| Digital, broadcasting and media | 63.8 |
| Building Digital UK | 46.3 |
| Other Costs including partners organisations | 45.1 |
| Total | £0.6 billion |
Capital DEL: total budget £13.8 billion 2024 to 2025
| Description | £ million |
|---|---|
| UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) | 8,912.5 |
| UK Research Base including EU Programmes | 2,409.1 |
| UK Space Agency | 602.3 |
| Other costs | 588.0 |
| Building Digital UK | 468.9 |
| Met Office | 309.4 |
| Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) | 260.0 |
| Geospatial Commission | 143.0 |
| National Measurement System (NMS) | 132.6 |
| Other partner organisations | 20.9 |
| Science and Society | 0.1 |
| Total | £13.8 billion |
1.4 Comparison of spending totals sought
The table and chart below show how the totals sought for DSIT in its Main Estimate compare with the last financial year:
Table 1: Spending total amounts sought for DSIT this year compared with the final budget last year.
| Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 | Difference (+/-) compared to Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024 (£m) | Difference (+/-) compared to Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024 (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource DEL | 605.9 | -82.2 | -11.9% |
| Capital DEL | 13,846.8 | 1,238.8 | 9.8% |
| Resource AME | 251.1 | -174.5 | -41.0% |
| Capital AME | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100.0% |
Table 2: Spending total amounts sought for DSIT this year compared with the original budget last year.
| Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 | Difference (+/-) compared to Main Estimate 2023 to 2024 (£m) | Difference (+/-) compared Main Estimate 2023 to 2024 (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resource DEL | 605.9 | 42.7 | 7.6% |
| Capital DEL | 13,846.8 | 765.3 | 5.8% |
| Resource AME | 251.1 | -10,774.8 | -97.7% |
| Capital AME | 0.1 | -2,480.0 | -97.1% |
Figure 1: DSIT budgets, £ million
1.5 Key drivers of spending changes since last year
Resource DEL
There is a net decrease in Resource Departmental Expenditure Limit (RDEL) of £82.2 million in the amount sought in the Main Estimate for 2024 to 2025, compared to the budget agreed as part of the Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024. The main changes are:
- a net £46.6 million reduction in depreciation, amortisation, impairments and asset revaluations costs across admin and programme, when compared to the Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024. Further budget allocations to be sought as part of the Supplementary Estimates process for 2024 to 2025, aligning depreciation budgets more closely to previous year’s requirements
- a £37.0 million reduction in Ordnance Survey dividends income in 2024 to 2025 budgets, compared to 2023 to 2024 budgets
Capital DEL
There is a £1,238.8 million increase in Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (CDEL) budgets in 2024 to 2025 compared to the Supplementary Estimates 2023 to 2024. This is the result of an increase in R&D capital budget allocations since the last Spending Review (SR). The main drivers when comparing 2024 to 2025 Main Estimate budgets to 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates are:
- £854.7 million increase in budget allocations for Science & Research portfolio, of which £260.0 million was an increase for Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).
- £369.9 million increase in capital allocation for Building Digital UK.
There is a £174.4 million decrease in Capital and Resource AME budget sought compared to the budget agreed as part of the Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024. This is the result of:
- £119.9 million reduction in the Medical Research Council’s pension scheme valuation provision.
- £50.0 million reduction in Horizon and Copernicus Association provision costs, with budget reducing in line with revised exchange rate forecasts.
1.6 New policies and programmes - ambit changes
The ambit has been updated to cover activities in support of the better management of knowledge assets held by the public sector for social, economic, and financial value to the UK economy, and the UK taxpayer.
1.7 Spending trends
The DSIT DEL spending trends charts below show overall spending trends for the last 4 years based on historic data for outturns, budgets presented in the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates and budgets agreed in the Main Estimate, since the establishment of DSIT.
Figure 2: DSIT DEL spending trends: 2021 to 2022 to 2024 to 2025 (£m).
Figure 2 shows outturns for 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023, 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates budgets, and 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates budgets sought.
DEL budgets
The increase in capital budget represents a combination of factors:
- overall growth in spend qualifying as R&D capital since the last Spending Review (SR)
- an increase in budget for key programmes including digital technologies and telecoms
Figure 3: DSIT AME spending trends: 2021 to 2022 to 2024 to 2025 (£m).
Figure 3 shows outturns for 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023, 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates budgets, and 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates budgets sought.
AME budgets
Resource AME in DSIT is subject to significant fluctuation from year to year due to non-cash costs arising from movements in provisions and the impact of changes to discount rates.
The chart in paragraph 1.4 illustrates the requirement for AME budgets, whereas trend line in para 1.7 captures outturn for 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023 with budget estimates for 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025. Since the announcement of the UK joining Horizon Europe and Copernicus, the Resource and Capital AME budget has reduced compared to 2022 to 2023 because spending is recognised on an accruals basis, with no requirement for a provision for whole life of association.
1.8 Administration costs and efficiency plans
At DSIT’s creation, the initial 2023 to 2024 administration budget (ring fenced and non-ring fenced) was set at £184.6 million with the final budget agreed as part of the Supplementary Estimates 2023 to 2024 process, set at £264.4 million (this included additional budget for DSIT transition costs and the Matrix project).
2024 to 2025 administration budgets are not yet finalised, with further claims due to be processed as part of the Supplementary Estimates 2024 to 2025 process.
Table 3: administration costs - spending total amounts sought this year compared to final and original budgets last year
| Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 (£m) | Difference (+/-) compared to Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024 (£m) | Difference (+/-) compared to Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024 (%) | Difference (+/-) compared to Main Estimate 2023 to 2024 (£m) | Difference (+/-) compared to Main Estimate 2023 to 2024 (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administration costs | 174.0 | -90.4 | -34% | -10.6 | -6% |
1.9 Funding: Spending Review and budgets
DEL funding for DSIT for 2024 to 2025 is based on plans published for legacy departments in Spending Review 2021. Since that time, the government has made changes including:
- costs associated with establishing DSIT
- funding transferred from DEFRA in relation to the Copernicus association budget, following the machinery of government changes (£116.0 million in 2023 to 2024 and £120.0 million in 2024 to 2025)
- transfers from other government departments to support the Prime Minister’s announcement on 24 April 2023 for an expert taskforce to help UK build and adopt next generation of safe Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
- transfers from DSIT to Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) for Internal Climate Finance Official Development Assistance (ODA) accounting for £19.7 million in 2023 to 2024 and £21.7 million in 2024 to 2025
1.10. Funding: other spending announcements
Other spending announcements which affect 2024 to 2025:
- Autumn Budget 2023 announced ambitious investments in UK R&D, the majority of which took place in 2023 to 2024
-
Spring Budget 2024 included a series of announcements that will affect 2024 to 2025, including:
- a package focused on scaling up UK Science & Tech businesses, which included a £92 million joint government and industry investment in life sciences and advanced manufacturing, and a £10 million investment for the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland
- a £7.4 million investment into a new AI upskilling fund pilot that will enable SMEs to realise the growth and productivity benefits of AI
- details of 4 research data cloud pilot projects worth £5 million to unlock data’s potential for research innovation, with £2.7 million of this budgeted for 2024 to 2025
Other announcements which also relate to 2024 to 2025 funding that have been absorbed within existing budget limits include:
- New projects in support of the Science and Technology Framework.
- Support for AI Research Resource at University of Bristol.
2. Spending detail
As shown in the table in Section 3.1, departmental expenditure contributes to several different strategic objectives, in particular spend assigned to the ‘Science and Research’ and ‘Capability’ subheads. However, due to Parliamentary rules, budgets must be assigned to only one specific estimate subhead even though spending often contributes to other lines.
2.1 Explanations of changes in spending
Resource DEL
The table below shows how DSIT’s spending plans for Resource DEL compare with last year.
Table 4: Resource DEL spending plans this year compared to last year
| Subhead | Description | 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates budget sought (£m) | 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates budget approved (£m) | Change from last year (£ m) | Changes from last year (%) | Differences of more than 10% which are more than £10 million (see note number) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Deliver an ambitious industrial strategy | 27.2 | 29.9 | -2.7 | -9% | no data |
| B | Promote competitive markets and responsible business practices | 0.0 | 0.0 | no data | no data | no data |
| C, H, L | Science and Research | 292.1 | 326.7 | -34.6 | -10.6% | 1 |
| D, I | Capability | 133.1 | 258.7 | -125.5 | -48.5% | 2 |
| E, J | Government as Shareholder | -32.6 | -75.6 | 43.0 | 56.9% | 3 |
| F, K | Support for the Digital, Broadcasting and Media sectors | 137.8 | 107.2 | 30.6 | 28.5% | 4 |
| G | Building Digital UK | 48.2 | 41.3 | 7.0 | 16.9% | no data |
| No data | Total voted and non-voted | 605.9 | 688.1 | -82.2 | -11.9% | no data |
Note number:
1. Science and Research
Resource DEL spending under these subheads is, overall, forecast to be £34.6 million, or 10.6% lower in the Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate. This is driven largely by:
- £36.5 million decrease to Depreciation & Impairment Budgets for 2024 to 2025 across UKRI councils and former Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) entities, and £4.8 million relating to depreciation for Diamond Light Source, required in prior year. Depreciation funding for 2024 to 2025 is expected to be finalised later in the year as part of the Supplementary Estimates process for 2024 to 2025
2. Capability
Resource DEL spending under these subheads is, overall, £125.5 million, or 48.5% lower in the Main Estimate for 2024 to 2025 compared to the Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024. The main movements are:
- £54.8 million reduction in ‘switches’ into Resource, compared to Supplementary Estimate (£3.0 million budget ‘switch’ increase for DSIT Life Sciences, transferring to admin from general capital in 2024 to 2025)
- £42.1 million reduction in administration costs (Matrix programme £26.9 million and £15.2 million in other admin costs), compared to 2023 to 2024 budget allocations at Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024
- £28.0 million reduction in ex-DCMS costs recorded against capability subheads, compared to Supplementary Estimates 2023 to 2024 budgets
3. Government as a Shareholder
Resource DEL spending under these subheads is, overall, forecast to be £43.0 million, or 56.9% higher at Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the Supplementary Estimate for 2023 to 2024. The main movements are:
- £37.0 million decrease in income for the Ordnance Survey dividends compared to 2024 to 2025
- £4.9 million decrease in Met Office interest receivable from European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) loans, compared to 2023 to 2024
- £1.1 million increase in Business and Enterprise Access to Finance spend
4. Support for the Digital, Broadcasting and Media sectors
Resource DEL spending under these subheads is, overall, forecast to be £30.6 million, or 28.5% higher at Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024. The main movements are:
- £22.3 million net increase in this spending area due to ‘switches’ out of Resources following Supplementary Estimates 2023 to 2024 budget allocations
- £13.4 million net reduction in ‘budget cover transfers’ from other government departments into this subhead
- £17.1 million increase in Cyber Security portfolio budgets, received from Ministry of Defence (MOD) at Main Estimate 2024 to 2025, in line with machinery of government transfers
- £4.4 million net change in budget ‘reserve claims’ allocations with the most substantial (£7.2 million) relating to an AI upskilling fund, Labour Markets Evaluation and Pilots Fund (LMEPF), received at Main Estimate 2024 to 2025
Net Resource DEL spending under these subheads, is, overall, forecast to be £82.2 million, or 11.9% lower at Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the previous Supplementary Estimate.
Capital DEL
The table below shows how spending plans for Capital DEL compare with last year.
Table 5: Capital DEL spending plans this year compared to last year
| Subhead | Description | 2024 to 2025 Mains Estimates budget sought (£m) | 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates budget approved (£m) | Change from last year (£m) | Change from last year (%) | Differences of more than 10% which are more than £10 million; of more than 5% which are more than £200 million; and significant or unusual change (see note number) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Deliver an ambitious industrial strategy | 388.7 | 394.8 | -6.1 | -1.5% | no data |
| B | Promote competitive markets and responsible business practices | 7.8 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 69.6% | no data |
| C, H, L | Science and Research | 12,582.7 | 11,725.3 | 857.4 | 7.3% | 5 |
| D, I | Capability | 7.9 | 25.6 | -17.8 | -69.3% | 6 |
| E, J | Government as Shareholder | 182.8 | 214.7 | -31.9 | -14.9% | 7 |
| F, K | Support for the Digital, Broadcasting and Media sectors | 208.1 | 144.0 | 64.1 | 44.5% | 8 |
| G | Building Digital UK | 468.9 | 99.0 | 369.9 | 373.8% | 9 |
| No data | Total voted and non-voted | 13,846.8 | 12,608.0 | 1,238.8 | 9.8% | no data |
Note number:
5. Science and Research
Total capital spending under these subheads is forecast to increase by £857.4 million or 7.3% at the Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate. The overall increase is a result of R&D capital spend commitments, with main changes relating to:
- £450.2 million increase within UK Research and Innovation budgets
- £471.4 million net increase in research base budgets, with £260.0 million budget allocated to Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) in Main Estimate 2024 to 2025
6. Capability
Capital spending under these subheads is overall, forecast to decrease by £17.8 million or 69.2% at the Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 when compared to the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate. This is mainly due to £13.8 million in assets acquisitions in 2023 to 2024.
7. Government as Shareholder
Capital spending under these subheads is, overall, forecast to decrease by £31.9 million or 14.9% at the Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate. This is mainly due to £32.9 million decrease within Met Office shareholder function and a £1.0 million increase within British Technology Investments.
8. Support for the Digital, Broadcasting and Media sectors
Capital spending under these subheads is, overall, forecast to increase by £64.1 million or 44.5%, compared to the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate.
This is mainly driven by £50.3 million internal budget movements and reallocations between ‘Support for the Digital, Broadcasting and Media’ and ‘Building Digital UK’ (BDUK) subheads. Other changes resulting in the overall increase under this subhead are:
- £6.5 million increase in AI Safety Institute (AISI) contributions from several departments to support the Prime Minister’s announcement to help the UK build and adopt the next generation of safe AI
- £5.3 million increase in Digital Infrastructure portfolio for Shared Outcomes Fund
- £3.5 million increase in New Deal for Northern Ireland funding
The reduction in budget allocations under this subhead relates to internal budget reallocations following the machinery of government changes.
9. Building Digital UK
Capital budget under this subhead will increase by £369.9 million or 373.8% at the Main Estimate compared to the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate. This is mainly driven by:
- £80.1 million increase in Project Gigabit funding and a £32.5 million increase compared to the Supplementary Estimates budget, funding the telecoms package.
- £30.8 million increase in Shared Rural Network funding compared to the 2023 to 2024 budget allocations
- £2.0 million increase in Superfast funding
Following the 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates, Project Gigabit’s delegation was reduced by £256.5 million, of which £148.1 million was surrendered and re-prioritised, and £21.4 million was transferred to other government departments. Shared Rural Network’s 2023 to 2024 delegation was reduced by £53.0 million, where £44.9 million was surrendered back to His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT), and £8.1 million was transferred to Home Office. Superfast surrendered £2 million budget.
Resource AME
The table below shows how spending plans for Resource AME compare with last year.
Table 6: Resource AME spending plans this year compared with last year
| Subhead | Description | 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates budget sought (£m) | 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates budget approved (£m) | Change from last year (£m) | Change from last year (%) | Differences significantly above or below inflation (see note number) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M,P | Science and Research | 221.6 | 273.9 | -52.2 | -19.1% | 10 |
| N,Q | Capability | 0.0 | -0.3 | 0.3 | 100.0% | no data |
| O | Deliver an ambitious industrial strategy | 29.5 | 138.7 | -109.2 | -78.7% | 11 |
| No data | Government as Shareholder | 0.0 | 2.2 | -2.2 | -100.0% | no data |
| No data | Building Digital UK | 0.0 | 9.7 | -9.7 | -100.0% | no data |
| No data | Broadcasting and Media ALB (net) | 0.0 | 1.5 | -1.5 | -100.0% | no data |
| No data | Total voted and non-voted | 251.1 | 425.6 | -174.5 | -41.0% | no data |
Note number:
10. Science and Research
Resource AME spending on these subheads is forecast to decrease by £52.2 million or 19.1% compared to 2023 to 2024 budgets. The main drivers for the reduction are:
- £50.0 million decrease in EU Programmes Hedging Gains and Losses, compared to the 2023 to 2024 budget. As the foreign exchange movement is volatile and beyond the department’s control, the budget requirement for EU Programmes Hedging Gains and Losses for 2024 to 2025 will be reviewed and agreed at the Supplementary Estimate.
11. Deliver an Ambitious Industrial Strategy
Resource AME spending on these subheads is forecast to be £109.2 million or 78.7% lower at the Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 compared to the Supplementary Estimate 2023 to 2024. This is due to £109.0 million decrease in financial assets impairment provision.
Capital AME
The table below shows how spending plans for Capital AME compare with last year.
Table 7: Capital AME spending plans for this year compared with last year
| Subhead | Description | 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates budget sought (£m) | 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimates budget approved (£m) | Change from last year (£m) | Change from last year (%) | See note number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M,P | Science and Research | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | no data | no data |
| No data | Capability | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 100% | no data |
| No data | Total voted and non-voted | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 100% | no data |
2.2 Ring fenced budgets
Within the totals, the following elements are ring fenced i.e. savings in these budgets may not be used to fund pressures on other budgets without express permission from HM Treasury.
As part of the Estimate process, HM Treasury can agree to relax ring fences, to allow the department to manage pressures and reallocate underspends.
The department is discussing a revised set of policy ring fences with HM Treasury following the 2023 machinery of government change and will communicate these in future Estimates once they have been agreed.
Table 8: amounts sought this year compared to last year
| 2024 to 2025 Main Estimates (£m) | Change from last year (£m) | Change from last year (%) | |
| Financial transactions Of which: |
63.1 | 41.4 | -25% |
| British Technology Investments | 20.0 | 20.0 | 0% |
| National Measurement Service | 3.6 | 4.3 | -16% |
| Met Office | -5.4 | 0.2 | -2,800% |
| UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) | 40.0 | 19.0 | 25% |
| Other | 4.9 | -2.1 | 91% |
| Depreciation | 305.3 | 352.0 | 12.82% |
2.3 Changes to contingent liabilities
The schedule of contingent liabilities is listed in Annex B Part III: Note K of the Estimate.
This schedule relates to liabilities recognised at the time of issuing this document with a complete audited schedule to be published in the Annual Report and Accounts.
3 new contingent liabilities have been added since 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate:
- Building Digital UK – Shared Rural Network: There is a legally binding agreement to indemnify mobile network operators, via their subsidiary, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited in respect of costs up to £15.2 million that may arise if there is a change in the operator of the Emergency Services Network. The probability of crystallisation occurring from 2024 is estimated at 5%.
- Building Digital UK – Superfast ERDF Scheme Contingent Liability: There is a contingent liability for potential clawback in relation to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for 2 broadband projects, which were procured through change requests to existing contracts with British Telecom. The outcome will not be known until the relevant audits have taken place, with the potential of an audit challenge remaining in place until 2026. This contingent liability is unquantified.
- Ordnance Survey: Indemnities have been provided to Directors appointed by the department to the Ordnance Survey. These indemnities are against personal liability following any legal action against the Company.
Other contingent liabilities removed from the register since 2023 to 2024 Supplementary Estimate are summarised below:
- Innovate UK Natural Renewable Energy Centre decommissioning costs.
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) decommissioning costs.
- Expired indemnity provided to the purchaser of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) site. This is in the event of clean-up costs arising from dangerous substances contamination.
3. Priorities and performance
3.1 How spending relates to objectives
The Estimates are being prepared during a general election campaign and objectives and the priority outcomes were set in the previous Parliament.
Outcome 1: Optimise public R&D investment to support areas of relative UK strength and increase the level of private R&D to make our economy the most innovative in the world
Estimates subheads: A,O, B, C,H,L,M,P, D,I,N,Q, E,J
Outcome 2: Promote a diverse research and innovation system that connects discovery to new companies, growth and jobs – including by delivering world-class physical and digital infrastructure (such as gigabit broadband), making the UK the best place to start and grow a technology business and developing and attracting top talent
Estimates subheads: A,O, B, C,H,L,M,P, D,I,N,Q, E,J F,K, G
Outcome 3: Put our public services – including the NHS and schools – at the forefront of innovation, championing new ways of working and the development of in-house Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) capability to improve outcomes for people
Estimates subheads: A,O, B, C,H,L,M,P, D,I,N,Q
Outcome 4: Strengthen international collaboration on science and technology in line with the Integrated Review, and ensure our researchers are able to continue to work with leading scientists in Europe and around the world
Estimates subheads: A,O, B, C,H,L,M,P, D,I,N,Q
Outcome 5: Deliver key legislative and regulatory reforms to drive competition and promote innovation, including the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill and our pro-innovation approach to regulating AI
Estimates subheads: D,I,N,Q, F,K, G
Outcome 6: Implement the reformed Online Safety Act to keep British people, especially children, safe online
Estimates subheads: D,I,N,Q, F,K
Outcome 7: Lead the implementation of the S&T Framework
Estimates subheads: A,O, D,I,N,Q, E,J
3.2 Measures of performance against each priority
DSIT measures performance for the department against its high-level objectives.
3.3 Major projects
The department is responsible for several major projects:
- Met Office Supercomputing 2020+ Programme
- Matrix Cluster Transformation Programme
- Open Networks Programme
- Project Gigabit
- Shared Rural Network
- National Underground Asset Register.
The Infrastructure and Projects Authority reports annually on delivery of major projects. See the data for DSIT.
4. Other information
4.1 Additional specific information required by the Select Committee
Table 9: breakdown of administration budget - spending total amounts sought this year compared to the final budget last year
| Administration budget | Main Estimate 2024 to 2025 (£m) | Change from last year (£m) | Change from last year (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wages and salaries / Purchase of goods and services / other | 139.3 | 201.7 | -31% |
| Depreciation | 10.0 | 36.6 | -73% |
| Total core department and Agency administration | 149.3 | 238.3 | -37% |
| UKRI (depreciation) | 6.0 | 0.0 | 100% |
| Information Commissioners office | 6.0 | 14.4 | -58% |
| Information Commissioners office (depreciation) | 3.3 | 3.3 | 0% |
| Ofcom (depreciation) | 7.8 | 8.5 | -9% |
| UK Shared Business Services | 1.6 | 0.0 | 100% |
| Total partner organisations administration | 24.6 | 26.1 | -6% |
| Total administration budget | 174.0 | 264.4 | -34% |
5. Accounting Officer approval
This memorandum has been prepared according to the requirements and guidance set out by the House of Commons Scrutiny Unit, available on the Scrutiny Unit website.
The information in this Estimates Memorandum has been approved by myself as departmental Accounting Officer.
Sarah Munby
Accounting Officer
Permanent Secretary
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
12 July 2024