Research bodies urge UK government to protect science funding

Nearly 200 research organisations have signed an open letter urging the UK government to protect science funding in the 2015 UK spending review. Sent to the Financial Times earlier this week, the letter stresses such a commitment will drive economic growth and secure international investment.

Back in the 2013 autumn statement, the UK chancellor George Osborne stated that science is a ‘personal priority’ but research bodies believe the government’s funding plans since Osborne’s pledge have fallen short. Last month science advocacy groups also raised concerns that an upcoming government review of the structure of national bodies, such as research councils, could harm the UK’s science infrastructure.

The open letter sent in response to these recent developments, and signed by leading organisations including the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK, argues that heavy investment in scientific research would not be possible without government support. The signatories also call to ‘cement the UK as a global leader in R&D’.