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UK science spending to remain 'flat' UK science spending to remain 'flat'
(35 minutes later)
Publicly funded science in the UK will have to get by with another period of fixed spending.Publicly funded science in the UK will have to get by with another period of fixed spending.
Chancellor George Osborne says he intends to keep the country's R&D budget at its current level through to the next election.Chancellor George Osborne says he intends to keep the country's R&D budget at its current level through to the next election.
This figure, which amounts to about £4.6bn per year, has been held flat since 2011.This figure, which amounts to about £4.6bn per year, has been held flat since 2011.
The Chancellor made the announcement as part of the government's Spending Review delivered to Parliament.The Chancellor made the announcement as part of the government's Spending Review delivered to Parliament.
He did, however, promise to increase capital expenditure - the money going into the laboratory infrastructure. This was cut deeply in 2011. He did, however, promise to increase capital expenditure - the money going into the laboratory infrastructure. This is almost doubled from the current £0.6bn.
"Scientific discovery is first and foremost an expression of the relentless human search to know more about our world, but it's also an enormous strength for a modern economy," Mr Osborne told MPs."Scientific discovery is first and foremost an expression of the relentless human search to know more about our world, but it's also an enormous strength for a modern economy," Mr Osborne told MPs.
"From synthetic biology to graphene - Britain is very good at it and we're going to keep it that way."From synthetic biology to graphene - Britain is very good at it and we're going to keep it that way.
"I am committing today to maintain the resource budget for science at £4.6bn, to increase the capital budget to £1.1bn and to maintain that real increase to the end of the decade."I am committing today to maintain the resource budget for science at £4.6bn, to increase the capital budget to £1.1bn and to maintain that real increase to the end of the decade.
"Investment in science is an investment in our future. So, yes, from the next generation of jet engines to cutting edge supercomputers, we say, 'keep inventing, keep delivering'. This country will back you all the way.""Investment in science is an investment in our future. So, yes, from the next generation of jet engines to cutting edge supercomputers, we say, 'keep inventing, keep delivering'. This country will back you all the way."
The capital expenditure announcement will be welcomed by the scientific community. Capital investment took a heavy hit after the last election but was then largely restored through a series of subsequent announcements.The capital expenditure announcement will be welcomed by the scientific community. Capital investment took a heavy hit after the last election but was then largely restored through a series of subsequent announcements.
The "flat cash" settlement on day-to-day research, however, will frustrate scientific leaders, who argue that another fixed spending period will see the research base eroded because of the effects of inflation. Mr Osborne says he now wants to see the science capital budget grow in line with inflation each year to 2020-21.
The "flat cash" settlement on day-to-day research will, however, frustrate scientific leaders, who argue that another fixed spending period will see the research base eroded because of the effects of current inflation.
Public science spending in Britain currently runs at about 0.65% of GDP, compared with an average of 0.8% for the G8 nations.Public science spending in Britain currently runs at about 0.65% of GDP, compared with an average of 0.8% for the G8 nations.
China is aiming to spend 2.5% of its GDP on research by 2020, South Korea is targeting 5% by 2022 and Brazil 2.5% by the same year.China is aiming to spend 2.5% of its GDP on research by 2020, South Korea is targeting 5% by 2022 and Brazil 2.5% by the same year.
Compared to the OECD group of developed nations, Britain's science spend is 7th in absolute terms but only 25th in percentage terms.Compared to the OECD group of developed nations, Britain's science spend is 7th in absolute terms but only 25th in percentage terms.
The UK government's science budget is largely handled by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), which will see its overall budget reduced by 6%.The UK government's science budget is largely handled by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), which will see its overall budget reduced by 6%.
BIS argues that a flat cash resource settlement in difficult economic times actually represents a good deal for science, and shows the government recognises the importance of research for economic growth.BIS argues that a flat cash resource settlement in difficult economic times actually represents a good deal for science, and shows the government recognises the importance of research for economic growth.
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmosJonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos