Royal Society responds to the 2021 Spending Review announcement

Responding to today’s Spending Review announcement, Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said:

“We welcome the Chancellor’s commitment in the Spending Review to increase funding to £20 billion a year by the end of this parliament, with a clear plan to reach £22 billion by 2026/7, and specific plans to strengthen the science and innovation ecosystem.

“Recognising the unprecedented circumstances faced by the country, today’s announcement of sustained increases for science funding is a welcome recognition of the importance of science and innovation to the nation’s resilience and growth. It is also a strong signal of the Government’s ambition to grow the full potential of the UK as a global leader in science and innovation.

“Over the past few weeks this argument has been repeatedly made by the science and business communities and we are pleased that the Government has listened. This long-term commitment to research sends a positive message to businesses, at home and abroad, that the UK is and will remain a global science leader.”