UK News
Read more on UK ‘must focus research on early diagnosis of dementia’
Patients will only benefit from new drugs if government prioritises early diagnosis, say MPs
ViewShapps weighs in on ‘missing’ mathematics funding
Shapps weighs in on ‘missing’ mathematics funding
Minister defends decision not to ringfence £300 million first promised in 2020
ViewUniversities relieved by free speech bill amendments
Universities relieved by free speech bill amendments
Groups say changes will avoid “vexatious” litigation, but questions remain over whether tort is needed
ViewQuestions raised over source of UK’s EU R&D stopgap funds
Questions raised over source of UK’s EU R&D stopgap funds
More cash expected ‘early in new year’ despite confusion over which budget it’s coming from
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ViewFreedom fighters
Freedom fighters
As the free speech bill nears the finish line, some sensible amendments may be accepted
ViewREF newbies
REF newbies
So, what’s it like entering the REF for the first time?
ViewPostgraduate trainee teachers down by 23%
Postgraduate trainee teachers down by 23%
Government figures show contraction in teacher training recruitment after pandemic boost
ViewR&D in NHS risks ‘slipping back to pre-pandemic ways’
R&D in NHS risks ‘slipping back to pre-pandemic ways’
Clinical academics warn that NHS post-pandemic backlog is eating into their research time
ViewEveryone’s business
Everyone’s business
The National Centre for Universities and Business publishes its annual State of the Relationship report
ViewChristmas future
Christmas future
Do further education reforms point the way to public sector universities?
ViewBoost immigration to ease Brexit damage to R&D, think tank urges
Boost immigration to ease Brexit damage to R&D, think tank urges
Report says loss of EU scientists outstrips impact of Horizon Europe uncertainty on UK research
ViewGovernment ‘lacks leadership’ to respond to next pandemic
Government ‘lacks leadership’ to respond to next pandemic
Former Vaccine Taskforce chair says UK needs an expert leader to coordinate vaccine efforts
ViewMedicines innovation centre opens in Glasgow
Medicines innovation centre opens in Glasgow
Collaboration between 25 organisations across business, academia and government agencies behind £88 million centre
ViewFears for UK’s vaccine R&D as firm pauses construction of centre
Fears for UK’s vaccine R&D as firm pauses construction of centre
Suspension of construction on Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre described as “disappointing” and “worrying”
ViewParty leaders promise businesses innovation and skills
Party leaders promise businesses innovation and skills
Rishi Sunak tells CBI he wants innovation, while Keir Starmer backs green growth and skills
ViewR&D faces billion-pound funding blows
R&D faces billion-pound funding blows
Autumn statement: chancellor ringfences science spending but inflation and rule changes could hit R&D
ViewMonth end
Month end
More strikes, Ucas on care leavers, IFS on cost of living, but the USS improves
ViewUKRI reveals allocations of additional QR funding
UKRI reveals allocations of additional QR funding
£100 million shared among universities to address ongoing uncertainty over access to EU schemes
ViewHalfon: Government ‘doing everything’ to support students
Halfon: Government ‘doing everything’ to support students
Minister claims financial support is there, opposition says government does not understand scale of issues
ViewStudent vote
Student vote
This week sees a by-election in a university town
ViewUK should ‘redouble’ efforts to boost life sciences R&D
UK should ‘redouble’ efforts to boost life sciences R&D
More needs to be done to keep life science companies in UK, says government body
ViewHealth research funding to ‘build on Vaccine Taskforce success’
Health research funding to ‘build on Vaccine Taskforce success’
Cancer, obesity, mental health and addiction targeted in £113 million push
ViewEx-science minister to quit as MP and focus on net zero
Ex-science minister to quit as MP and focus on net zero
Chris Skidmore to dedicate career to “greatest challenge” of helping government meet its 2050 target
ViewSpeaking Welch
Speaking Welch
Playbook meets the vice-chancellor of the University of Bristol
ViewUK medical charities expand remit of open research platform
UK medical charities expand remit of open research platform
Association of Medical Research Charities’ Open Research platform opens up to international health researchers
ViewResearch ‘playing second fiddle’ to clinical care in NHS
Research ‘playing second fiddle’ to clinical care in NHS
Clinical academic calls for NHS culture change, so research is seen as more mainstream
ViewState of play
State of play
Braverman is at it again, plus data on graduate outcomes, loans, migration and research students’...
ViewR&D tax credits expected to cost Treasury £7.5bn this year
R&D tax credits expected to cost Treasury £7.5bn this year
Estimates come amid major shake-up of tax relief—including cuts to support for small businesses
ViewUK’s £22bn R&D spending target seemingly dropped
UK’s £22bn R&D spending target seemingly dropped
Treasury official avoids confirming that previously set target for 2026-27 remains in place
ViewUK releases £200m to mitigate Copernicus association delays
UK releases £200m to mitigate Copernicus association delays
Funding to support Earth observation amid instability as UK remains blocked from EU scheme
ViewAction stations
Action stations
As a fresh wave of strikes gets underway today, Chris Parr listens to last-minute pitches
ViewHydrogen, health and climate change top Ramaphosa UK visit
Hydrogen, health and climate change top Ramaphosa UK visit
Science takes prominence as South African president is first head of state hosted by King
ViewLondon mayor vows to use regional funds for R&D
London mayor vows to use regional funds for R&D
Sector welcomes announcement to “put universities and research institutes at heart of drive for growth”
ViewChi Onwurah sets out Labour’s vision for R&D
Chi Onwurah sets out Labour’s vision for R&D
Shadow science minister tells Royal Society event government promises need to be “matched with actions”
ViewMoving goalposts
Moving goalposts
The annual estimate of R&D expenditure is out and guess what?
ViewBusiness R&D increased by £3bn between 2020 and 2021
Business R&D increased by £3bn between 2020 and 2021
But small businesses complain of dangers ahead following slashed tax credit support
ViewKeir Starmer wants to prioritise skills and green growth
Keir Starmer wants to prioritise skills and green growth
New Industrial Strategy Council would apply “creative brilliance of our scientists and universities” to industry