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
Conservative Party plans highlight the shifting political landscape for UK R&D
30 April 2026
Conservative Party have presented a defence policy proposal that includes a reduction of UKRI funding by £2 billion per year. CaSE has looked at this proposal and what it indicates about the wider position of R&D in public policy.
Julia Lopez MP reply to CaSE letter on Conservative defence R&D plans
30 April 2026
CaSE has received a reply to our letter to the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Julia Lopez MP, which asked for clarity surrounding their policy position that would see a reduction of UKRI funding by £2 billion per year.
An update on UKRI’s funding changes
30 April 2026
A recap of the updates and discussions surrounding the new UKRI budget framework and a summary of the latest dialogue between UKRI and the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.
Government R&D expenditure grows as the balance shifts
22 April 2026
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published the latest Government Expenditure on R&D (GovERD) statistics for 2024, which provide estimates of R&D performed in and funded by UK government departments and the devolved administrations.