To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of maintaining the current level of spending on science research and development beyond 2016; and what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on that matter.
Answered on
6 March 2015
At a time of tight control over public spending, this Government has remained committed to supporting our world-class science and research base. We have protected the science ring fence in cash terms for 2015/16. We have also announced investment in science infrastructure of £1.1bn a year rising with inflation to 2021, funding for new programmes such as Quantum Technologies, the Newton Fund, and further investment in high level skills. This means that overall Department for Business, Innovation and Skills investment in science and research will reach £5.8bn in cash terms for Financial Year 2015/16, an increase in the overall allocation compared to recent years.