Prof. Lesley Yellowlees, the President of the UK's Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has welcomed the government's announcement of a £200 million extra investment for the Research Partnership Investment Fund. However, RSC has called for the ruling Conservative party to commit to long-term investment in science to boost the UK economy.
The additional investment was announced by Conservative MP Oliver Osborne at a conference speech. Terming it a reward for science, Prof. Yellowlees has noted that Osborne recognises that investment in research will help to pull the UK out of this economic slump. Nevertheless, what scientists now need more than ever is long-term certainty, not just contributions, according to Prof. Yellowlees. At the last spending review, the government froze the science budget and cut capital spending by 40 percent. This extra £200 million for the research fund only goes part of the way to making up for the deficit, he has pointed out.
Osborne has reportedly said the extra money equates to a £1 billion increase for research. But universities will be relying largely on private companies to provide the cash through match investment, according to Prof. Yellowlees. The UK has world-class scientists doing valuable fundamental research who won't be eligible for these funds, he has noted.
The RSC has called on the Conservatives to step up to the plate and help science deliver the results that would generate economic growth for Britain.
