Warning as business R&D spend ‘decreases’ during Covid-19

UK manufacturing group says around half of their members have had to reduce research spend

Policy experts have warned of a decrease in private R&D investment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Verity Davidge, director of central policy at Make UK, which represents manufacturers in the UK, said around half of their members have had to reduce R&D spend, with smaller companies, especially, being more concerned with “staying afloat” than with investing in research.