UK's research shortfall reduced

The £1.7 billion shortfall in research capital following the 2010 Spending Review has been cut to just over £330 million, according to new analysis by the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE). The reduction in the shortfall is the result of various additional commitments, according to CaSE’s analysis published in Public funding of UK science and engineering – March 2013 update. However, the report also finds that inflation is expected to reduce the research base budget, a term the organisation uses to encompass both the current and previous government’s definition of the science budget, by £660 million over the course of the spending review period.

In a statement, CaSE acting director Beck Smith said the government had made ‘good progress’ to address the shortfall following the 2010 spending review and urged it do more. ‘The government must continue its trend of additional commitments, with a view to developing a long-term and sustained funding strategy, to ensure we make the best use of our excellent research base and are still able to compete with those countries who have been increasing their research budgets,’ she added. However, the 2013 Budget released today has left the shortfall unchanged, something Smith described as disappointing.