Science minister announces funding plans

In a written statement to parliament, David Willetts, minister for universities and science minister, said: ‘Our world-class science and research base is inherently valuable, as well as critical to promoting economic growth.

‘For the first time, HE [higher education] research funding in England has been included within this ring-fence, providing overall stability and certainty to the research base.’

Based on a baseline figure for 2010/11 of approximately £771m, EPSRC’s resource drops three per cent over the review period. Total resource for the National Academies will drop 1.46 per cent overall, but resource spend on the UK Space Agency will rise by 9.41 per cent to around £769m over the review period.

‘This settlement recognises that UK science has the potential to provide a solid basis for the UK’s future economic growth,’ said Marshall Stoneham, president of the Institute of Physics. ‘It is important for our science base to have a stable spending framework to enable researchers to plan for the next four years. Within constrained public finances, today’s announcements indicate that we have an encouraging footing for future progress.’