Research Councils UK (RCUK) today (21st October) welcome the recommendations made in the NAO’s Value for Money study of the project to establish the RCUK Shared Service Centre (SSC). We thank the NAO for endorsing, through their recommendations, the approach that the Research Councils are already taking to ensure that the SSC’s service matures quickly. The Research Councils also welcome the conclusion of the report that, further to the savings already achieved, the SSC is showing “significant scope for further savings.”
This has been an unprecedented project in bringing together the processes of seven distinct organisations and lessons have been learnt throughout it. The project has taken longer and cost more than anticipated, due to the complexities of ensuring that the system could fulfil the needs of all seven Research Councils. Through the establishment of the SSC a solution has been developed that allows the Councils to save money on administration, harmonise processes and ensure that the resulting savings are returned for investment in research which will contribute to the future growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK.
There have been some issues during the time that the Councils were adopting the new processes, but these issues are being resolved. The NAO audit took place just two months after completion of the project and, although it is estimated that shared service centres usually take 18 to 24 months to reach maturity, the Research Councils, RCUK SSC Ltd and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) are working in partnership to implement an action plan, to ensure that full service maturity is achieved quickly.
The Research Councils remain fully committed to the shared service approach they have adopted and will continue to work with RCUK SSC Ltd and BIS to ensure that the SSC becomes even more cost effective so that savings can be invested back in science and research.
Correction to Times Higher Education news in brief item about the RCUK Shared Service Centre, 27th October 2011 edition here.
Correction to Research Fortnight Today article about the NC3Rs and the RCUK Shared Service Centre, 27th October 2011 edition here.
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Further information
Alexandra Saxon
Head of Communications
Tel: 01793 444474 or email: alexandra.saxon@rcuk.ac.uk
Jane Wakefield
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444595 or email: jane.wakefield@rcuk.ac.uk
Notes to editors
The report Shared services in the Research Councils can be downloaded will be available from the NAO website here
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).