MPs call for UK Arpa to go back to the drawing board

Government told to clearly identify the need for, and remit of, proposed agency

The government must “make up its mind” on the mission of its planned new funding agency, which remains a “brand in search of a product”, an influential group of MPs has said.

The “high risk, high reward” research agency—said to be modelled on the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency—was awarded £50 million of its five-year £800m budget at the November spending review. However, details about how it will work are scarce.