Budget 2024 statement
Key highlights of the new Budget include the protection of investment in R&D, with a guaranteed £6.1 billion allocated to core research areas such as engineering, biotechnology, and medical science.
The Microbiology Society welcomes this announcement, particularly noting the separate allocation of £2.7 billion for the UK's association with the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme through DSIT and the commitment to supporting the UK’s leading life sciences sector.
We call on the Government to maintain this positive long-term funding plan for domestic R&D in the Phase 2 of the Spending Review to ensure success of the UK’s research landscape.
Professor Gurdyal Besra FRS, President of the Microbiology Society, commented:
“Yesterday’s budget announcement, with its commitment to safeguarding core research funding, is highly encouraging. The UK’s research sector is a global leader, consistently delivering groundbreaking innovations that enhance our understanding of the world and transform our lives. We are pleased that the government acknowledges the critical importance of R&D and the UK's exceptional strengths in research and innovation. We look forward to collaborating with them to build on these efforts.”
