The Prime Minister and the Chancellor have clearly indicated their commitment to the UK’s world-leading science sector and its ability to drive economic recovery, so we are dismayed to uncover evidence of widespread disinvestment in science across government. Since 2009/10 the total R&D expenditure has seen a reduction of £856m to its lowest level in real terms since 2001/02.
In 2012, CaSE analysis of budget changes between 2009/10 and 2010/11 found evidence that many departments under financial pressure reduced R&D more than other spending. This analysis by CaSE of figures for 2010/11 and 2011/12, reported in the Financial Times, shows that Whitehall’s R&D expenditure has been slashed by £856 million since 2009-10, with many departments seeing year on year cuts to R&D.
CaSE departmental R&D Analysis 2014
Download ReportRelated resources
Mapping the economic returns of R&D in the UK
02 July 2025
This synthesis draws out key policy implications from the findings of a report commissioned by the British Academy and CaSE. The systems-based analysis of the strengths and weaknesses within the UK’s innovation system, ‘From Research to Productivity: A Systems Analysis of UK Innovation Pathways’, was conducted by Cambridge Econometrics.
From Research to Productivity: A Systems Analysis of UK Innovation Pathways
02 July 2025
In 2024, the British Academy and CaSE commissioned Cambridge Econometrics and the Innovation and Research Caucus to conduct this systems-based analysis of the strengths and weaknesses within the UK’s innovation system.
R&D in the 2025 Spending Review
12 June 2025
CaSE’s comprehensive analysis of the measures that impact R&D announced in the 2025 Spending Review
CaSE submission to House of Lords Financing and Scaling UK Science and Technology Inquiry
21 May 2025
CaSE’s response to the House of Lords Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee inquiry into: Financing and Scaling UK Science and Technology: Innovation, Investment, Industry.