UK 2024 Spring Budget: Disappointing Lack of Support for Life Sciences Beyond Medical Research
UK 2024 Spring Budget: Disappointing Lack of Support for Life Sciences Beyond Medical Research
Earlier this week, the Chancellor shared the 2024 UK Spring Budget, outlining the Government’s spending plans for the coming year. One of the key points was the aim to boost the UK's position as a leader in science and technology. The goal was to encourage innovation, create jobs, and improve lives. However, there was disappointment as the previously promised £20 billion for Research and Development (R&D) didn't materialise.
The Budget did allocate £45 million to medical research initiatives and charities such as Cancer Research UK, with a focus on tackling health issues like dementia, cancer, and epilepsy. However, it missed out other important areas from plant biology and agriculture, to biotechnology, and animal science which also play a vital roles in addressing global challenges including feeding a growing population, protecting biodiversity, and tackling climate change.
In a counter statement, the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) highlighted the need for more funding across different scientific fields, and also stressed the importance of better skills provisions, education, and support for international collaborations. The Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) echoes these sentiments, pointing to our contributions to the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) Report on Essential Skills for a Thriving UK Research Sector.
For more information on the SEB's contributions to CaSE's Report on Essential Skills for a Thriving UK Research Sector, you can visit: SEB Contributes to CaSE's Report on Essential Skills for a Thriving UK Research Sector
The aftermath of the 2024 Spring Budget sees continued discussions about how resources are allocated in important scientific areas. It's clear that building a strong scientific community requires investment and collaboration across different fields.
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