Relief as life sciences spared in UK cutbacks
pharmafile | November 1, 2010 | News story | Research and Development | ABPI, Comprehensive Spending Review, Diamond Synchrotron, UK Centre for Medical Research Innovation, UKCMRI, government, science funding
UK government funding for life sciences R&D has been spared from the deep cuts some had feared.
Many in the broader science community had feared the coalition’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) would take an axe to funding, but vigorous campaigning to maintain funding seem to have paid off.
The Government says it wants the UK to “remain a world leader in science and research” and will keep the science budget in cash terms of £4.6 billion a year by 2014-15.
Chancellor George Osborne said: “Britain is a world leader in scientific research. And that is vital to our future economic success.”
No adjustment for inflation has been made, however, which means the freezing of the budget will eventually represent a slight decline in amount of money available.
The funds will be ring-fenced to ensure they are not diverted away from science and research.
Key capital projects going ahead include £220 million in funding to ensure that the UK Centre for Medical Research Innovation (UKCMRI) goes ahead as planned. Funding will be provided for the Diamond Synchrotron worth £69 million.
The ABPI has welcomed the spending commitment to healthcare, science and innovation.
Responding to the news, Dr Richard Barker, director general of the ABPI said: “In this challenging economic climate, we are pleased the government has recognised the importance of maintaining ring-fenced public funding of £4.6 billion annually for science.
“Scientific research is critical to securing future economic growth and the UK can harness the rich opportunities offered by medical science for the benefit of patients and society. It will be essential for the forthcoming Growth White Paper to set out a clear strategy for the UK to maintain its comparative advantage in the life sciences.”
The Conservative-Liberal coalition government has decided to retain the dedicated government department, the Office for Life Sciences created by the previous Labour government in 2009. It will also follow through on the Life Science Blueprint unveiled last year.
Richard Barker said confirming support for these initiatives was “critically important in helping to address the industrial challenges currently facing the UK”.
The ABPI has pledged to continue to work closely with its counterparts at the BIA, BIVDA, ABHI and ministers to ensure the Office for Life Sciences and other initiatives will help UK life sciences and the development of new treatments.
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