A cross-sector letter calls on the government to commit to continuing to invest in research and development ahead of the UK's budget and spending review

Research and development promotes productivity and economic growth and raises living standards, benefiting individuals and communities across the UK. Long-term investment in research and development will create good jobs and ensure the UK is equipped to meet challenges such as mitigating and adapting to climate change, achieving net zero targets, improving human health and tackling other emerging global issues is.

However, reports of a rebalancing of investments leading to additional costs in the 2025/26 budget of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Technology, without providing additional funds to cover a deficit, are very worrying.

This would mean deep cuts in other areas of investment with significant negative consequences for the UK's world-leading research and development sector, slowing growth and undermining confidence. Cutting research and development in the UK now would be false economics: the sector would lose stability, expertise and dynamism.

In the letter we urge the Government to use the Budget and Spending Review to commit to further investment in research and development and to signal at home and abroad that the UK is committed to the role of research and development contribute to sustainable economic growth seriously. You can read the full letter on the CaSE website.

You can support our campaign by writing to your local MP to highlight this issue and ensure science continues to have a prominent place on Westminster's agenda.