Research leaders reassured by 2.4% pledge but want more details

UK research leaders say they are reassured by the government’s recommitment to its R&D target in the spending round announcement—but are holding their breath until the promised investment plan is unveiled.

In documents published alongside chancellor Sajid Javid’s spending round statement on 4 September, the government reiterated its commitment to increasing R&D investment to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027—but said that details on plans to achieve this would not be given until this autumn.

The government said in a statement released on 5 September that the plans would enable it to “continue supporting excellent research, build on achievements of recent years and back high-tech sectors like space, which have the potential to boost our economy and benefit people across the country”.