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Publication of correspondence: Concern over whether the Government will uphold its commitment to increase research and innovation spending by 2024/25

21 September 2021

Alongside the publication today of correspondence with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Greg Clark MP, Chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, has expressed concern over the Government’s non-confirmation of its commitment to increase public investment in research and development (R&D) to £22 billion per year by 2024/25.

Chair's comment

Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said:

"If we are to be competitive with other countries it is essential that the Government does not renege on its commitment to increase the UK science budget to £22 billion by 2024/25.

The response from the Secretary of State provides no comfort that there is not a plan afoot to abandon that very specific promise. Ahead of the Budget next month, the Committee will hold a special session to hear what would be the consequences of the loss of this commitment for science, research and innovation as we seek to recover from the pandemic.”

Image: PA