Spending Review 2021

London's financial district at dusk

Ottoline Leyser responds to the Autumn Budget and Spending Review.

Following publication today by the Chancellor of the Autumn Budget and Spending Review 2021, UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said:

In today’s Spending Review the Chancellor outlined a welcome increase and sustained investment through a three-year settlement for research and innovation that will deliver a more inclusive and greener knowledge economy driving up prosperity and wellbeing across the UK. This will provide a strong positive trajectory that will capitalise on UK excellence across the research and innovation system.

We have worked closely with researchers and innovators across the UK to make the strongest possible case for significant and long-term funding, through a shared vision for an innovation-led economy. This settlement provides the opportunity to work together to make this vision a reality.

Professor Leyser added:

The Chancellor’s announcements underscore the benefits that will come from co-ordinating significant investments into the research and innovation system through BEIS and other government departments, and attracting private investment, to address complex goals such as net zero and levelling up.

UKRI will play an important role in realising these goals through our reach across the whole research and innovation system, including small and large businesses, universities, and institutes, spanning all disciplines and working with many people and partners across the UK and globally. We have a huge opportunity to create the smart connections needed across the growing research and innovation system.

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