CaSE letter to Julia Lopez MP

CaSE have written to the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Julia Lopez MP, to express concern and ask for clarity surrounding their policy position that would see a reduction of UKRI funding by £2 billion per year.

In a speech on 11 April, Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch, reiterated a policy proposal that included a reduction of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding by £2 billion per year, or £6 billion over three years, through cuts to what have been described as “wasteful” or “nonsense” research grants. These reductions are proposed to fund defence capability.

With UKRI’s total budget for 2026/27 set at £9.2 billion, this would represent a cut of more than 20 per cent. Such a reduction would have profound and largely irreversible consequences for the UK research and innovation system.

CaSE have asked Ms Lopez to provide clarity on the following points:

1. What assessment has been made of the systemic impacts of a £6 billion reduction on UK research capacity, skills, and infrastructure?
2. How would national security‑relevant research, facilities, and talent pipelines be protected from collateral damage?
3. What concrete mitigation measures are planned to prevent long‑term harm to productivity, industrial strategy, and international standing?

We will publish any reply we receive in due course.