Huge drop in government spending on communities R&D

Funding for R&D at the Department for Communities and Local Government dropped by 75 per cent between 2009 and 2014.

In 2009-10, the department spent almost £30 million on R&D, but this dropped to £21m a year later and to £8.5m in 2011-12.

The figures were given in response to a written question from Chuka Umunna, the shadow secretary of state for business, innovation and skills. By 2013-14, R&D spending had dropped to £7.3m. In March 2015, it stood at £6.3m for 2014-15.