Forum Brief: Science Funding

Gordon Brown has highlighted the need for greater investment scientific and manufacturing research.

The chancellor yesterday signalled that the sector would be a major benefactor of the spending review next month.

In addition to the Research and Development tax credit and the £1.75 billion for the re-equipment of university science, he also announced an increase in scientific research investment and the re-equiping of laboratories in universities and colleges.

Forum Response: National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts

A spokeswoman for NESTA told ePolitix.com: "It's encouraging to see that the government is looking to provide further investment into science education - particularly during Science Year which, since last September, has been raising the profile and perception of science through a national campaign in schools.

"We need to engage students, in science, from a young age so that the UK can continue to produce leaders in science and technology."

Forum Response: Universities UK

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, told ePolitix.com: "Universities UK welcomes the chancellor's commitment that he will take new steps in the forthcoming Spending Review to improve science education, and re-equip science and engineering laboratories in colleges and universities.

"This is excellent news for the sector - and indicates that the findings of the Roberts Review are being noted by government. But we must not forget the wider picture - it is the teaching infrastructure that underpins all academic activity, including research. Teaching and research often take place in the same buildings and their needs are interdependent.

"Indeed, as Universities UK pointed out in its submission to the SR2002, all of the funding needs for the sector are inter-related. This is why we have made a case for an additional £9.94bn additional investment in the sector over the next Spending Review period."

Forum Response: Association of University Teachers

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the AUT, told ePolitix.com: "A new generation of students will be looking to the chancellor to invest in university research and the academic community.

"Without significant additional funds from the comprehensive spending review universities will find it difficult to attract and retain world-class staff. The funding ball is now firmly in the chancellor's court."