RCUK welcomes the budget statement that preserves the science and research budget
ringfence and the overall allocation in the CSR07 period. The current economic downturn
is placing pressure on the finances of Research Councils with external cost increases.
This requires the Councils to reprioritise so that savings can be made to manage
the cost increases. In addition, RCUK considers it important, in these challenging
economic times, to focus our investments on key areas of research most likely to
benefit the UK economy.
RCUK announced today that the efficiency savings of £106 million announced in
April's budget will be invested in a number of priority areas within the cross-Council
multidisciplinary programmes. There are five areas of research focus, the results
of which are expected to generate economic growth and improve the health and wellbeing
of the UK. The investment into these key areas will commence in the financial year
2010-2011.
The efficiencies to support this investment have been gained as result of a programme
of actions including plans to reduce further the proportion of funding spent on
administration, to increase the co-funding within our research portfolios and by
reshaping existing priority themes. In making such efficiencies we remain fully
committed to maintaining our support for blue skies research.
The efficiency savings that we are making will be re-invested in the following
areas:
- Green economy
- Life science sector (including health and food)
- Digital economy
- High-value manufacturing systems and services
- Cultural and creative industries
Ian Diamond, Chair of RCUK, said: "We are pleased with the Government's commitment
to maintaining the ring fence around science spending in the budget. We have responded
to the current economic situation by focusing reprioritised resources on five sectors
which we believe will have the most impact for the UK's economy and society.
"Research Councils UK is committed to delivering world-class research and postgraduate
training; allocations to the planned investment in the focused sectors will, as
usual, be subject to the quality of the proposals received, as determined by independent
peer review. We will work to ensure the future prosperity of the UK by maintaining
our excellent research base and the current and planned Research Council programmes
outlined at the RCUK ' Research
for our future' event held at the Royal Society on 6 April."