The Budget 2013

20 March 2013

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Budget Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, said:

“We understand the need for spending restraint but it is vital that today’s cuts to the departmental budget at BIS do not impact on investment at our world-class universities.

“The Government is right to maintain its efforts to make the UK the best place for business to invest and grow, but it would be counterproductive to pay for this through cuts to the research and innovation base that makes the UK attractive in the first place. Long-term sustainable growth requires long-term investment - it is essential that the Government maintains its commitment to a ring-fenced budget for science and research.

“Discoveries at our universities have generated billions for the economy and drive long-term and sustainable economic growth. The first-rate infrastructure needed to facilitate the very best research cannot be bought on the cheap.

“Our competitors are injecting vast amounts of cash into their universities and our leading universities are already under-resourced in comparison with our international competitors.”

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