Sun, 08 Jun 2025

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 Spending Review to include £86bn science and tech package

The government says every corner of the country will benefit, but research backers call for a long-term plan for science.

* The government has announced plans to spend £86 billion on science and technology by the end of this Parliament.
* The package will fund research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries, and include up to £500 million for regions across the UK.
* Chancellor Rachel Reeves said investing in science and technology would create jobs and boost security.
* Research backers have warned that the government needs to do more to secure the UK's reputation for science on the world stage.
* The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said every corner of the country will benefit from the funding.
* Specific projects include: + Liverpool: speeding up drug discovery + Northern Ireland: developing defence equipment + South Wales: designing microchips used in mobile phones and electric cars
* Tony McBride, director of policy and public affairs at the Institute of Physics, welcomed the funding but said a decade-long plan to train workers is needed.
* John-Arne Rottingen, chief executive of Wellcome, warned that visa costs for scientists from overseas and financial challenges at universities could hamper the government's ambitions.
* The shadow technology secretary, Alan Mak, described the investment as "a copy and paste" of Conservative plans.
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