CSR: Main Points for Research & Innovation

CSR: How do things look for R&I?

George Osborne announced the government’s plans for spending over the next five years in today’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). Whilst these are still to be confirmed via Hansard, my colleague Jill Hurst made a note of the main points relating to research and innovation spending. Thanks to Jill for making these notes, but do please treat with caution until formally verified.

The overall theme was ‘Reform and Rebuild’, and four main areas were identified:

1. Modern and integrated healthcare

• £5bn more to be invested in Health Research. £600m additional funding for mental health.
• Grants for NHS training schemes will be replaced with loans (though not clear what NHS posts this refers to).

2. Spread economic wealth by devolution revolution

• £12bn invested in local growth fund. 26 Enterprise Zones to be created including 15 in towns and rural areas (Ipswich mentioned). Elected mayors to be used to readdress the geographical imbalances in the economy).  Northern Powerhouse referenced heavily. HS2 will go ahead.  
•  Innovate UK will remain but based on a grant system. £165 million in loans will be on offer.
•  Recommendations made by Sir Paul Nurse will be implemented for research councils. Science resource budget will be protected  rising to £4.7bn by 2020 (£500m increase).  Capital budget at £6.9 bn.
•  BIS operational budget to be reduced 17%.
• £75m to be  invested in Cavendish Labs at Cambridge.
• Arts and culture budget will be protected. £1bn will be invested. Arts Council will be invested in.
• Funding to Catapult Centres will increase.
• Funding in UK Sport will be increased in run up to the Olympic Games in Rio.
• All student maintenance grants to be scrapped and replaced with loans. P/t students will now be eligible for main loans. Loans will be extended to ALL P/G students.
• Apprenticeship scheme extended. 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.
• £1bn will be invested in energy research.
• Kent County Council will receive £0.25bn to invest in road system to cope with Operation Stack.
•  Local governments will keep all business rate revenue. Mayors will be able to increase rates if invested back into business and will have powers to drive economies (Northern Powerhouse heavily referenced).
•  The small business rate relief scheme will be extended for another year – 600,000 small business will benefit.

3. Social care

• Women’s Health charities/sector will be invested in.  Military charities will be invested in.  

4. National Security

• Intelligence budget will be increased from £2.1bn to £2.8bn by 2020. Defence budget will be increased from £34bn to £40bn – emphasis will be on new equipment, capabilities and fighting cybercrime.
• Overseas aid budget (including migrant aid ) will increase to £16.3bn by 2020.