6 Conclusions
123. The Science Budget Allocations were announced
by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
with great enthusiasm. We agree that there is much in the budget
to be celebrated: we have noted in this report the welcome move
towards meeting the full economic cost of research and the Government's
vision for translating the UK's outstanding basic science base
into economic and social benefits. There are other items in this
Science Budget Allocation that we could have mentioned with similar
support, for example, the new capital fund for supporting long-term
investment in universities and research infrastructure. In a tough
fiscal climate, the CSR07 Science Budget is a good one.
124. However, the first Science Budget of the new
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, which was
created "to drive forward delivery of the Government's
long-term goal to make Britain one of the best places in the world
for science, research and innovation",[162]
has been marred by a few poor decisions. Broadly speaking, DIUS
left STFC with a large hole in its budget, and STFC managed its
allocation poorly. Additionally, the headline increases in the
science budget, after commitments to FEC and the new bodies have
been taken into account, translate broadly into flat cash for
all the Research Councils except MRC, which means fewer grants
can be funded. Consequently, the PR fanfare turned into a PR disaster
for the Government.
125. Our inquiry has raised questions about management
at all levels. We have raised concerns about DIUS's attitude towards
the Haldane Principle and its communication with the Research
Councils. We have also uncovered in STFC an ineffective and secretive
management team, with poor communications. DIUS has a difficult
job to do: it has to ensure the Research Councils are effective
without interfering in how they spend their money. The evidence
suggests that the Department's performance has been below par
in both these areas and we look to the Department to demonstrate
greater effectiveness in the future.
162 The Allocations of the Science Budget 2008/09
to 2010/11, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills,
December 2007, p 3 Back
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