The Spring Supplementary Estimates published by HM Treasury yesterday show significant revisions to DTI budgets, including those of the Research Councils. Their end of year flexibility (EYF) has been reduced, on a one-off-basis, from £196 million to £128 million, resulting in an effective reduction in their combined resources of £68 million in the current spending review period.
Research Council Chief Executives have been made aware of the pressures on other DTI budgets; nevertheless, they are disappointed that any shortfalls have been made at the expense of investments in research. Research Councils fund projects over many years and large proportions of our budgets are committed several years in advance. Any adjustments in our budgets will have significant implications for our ability to respond to new challenges of importance to society and the economy.
Speaking on behalf of the Research Councils, Professor Ian Diamond said, "The Research Base provides the intellectual energy to meet the challenges posed by globalisation. While we are satisfied that the Government remains committed to the 10-year science and innovation investment framework, reductions in Research Council budgets will inevitably have an impact on our ability to maintain the quality of the Research Base and to fully realise its benefits."
The Research Councils are considering options and will individually announce them in due course.
The EYF reductions for each Council are as follows:
Arts and Humanities Research Council: £5.3 million
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council £6.7 million
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils £0.5 million
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council £29.0 million
Economic and Social Research Council £3.0 million
Medical Research Council £10.7 million
Natural Environment Research Council £9.7 million
Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council £3.1 million
Reductions in the budgets for PPARC and CCLRC will be reflected in the budget for the new Science and Technology Facilities Council from 1 April 2007.
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Contact
Alun Roberts
RCUK Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444474
Notes
A Department of Trade and Industry Statement on the Spring Supplementary Estimates is available on the DTI website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/
About Research Councils UK
The eight Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Office of Science and Innovation. They are incorporated by Royal Charter and together manage a research budget of over £2.8 billion a year.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's eight Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support.
The eight UK Research Councils are:
Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC)
Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)
From 1 April 2007, PPARC and CCLRC will be merged to form the Science and Technologies Facilities Council.