Wellcome responds to the UK Government's announcement of "£55 billion R&D funding boost"

Beth Thompson, Executive Director of Policy & Partnerships at Wellcome, the UK's largest non-governmental funder of research, said:

"This status-quo settlement will keep R&D in the UK on a steady footing. This is important and shouldn't be underestimated, and the recognition of the role of fundamental science is particularly encouraging. But looking ahead we need to raise the national ambition, such as by setting a target to lead the G7 in research intensity. This would galvanise private sector confidence and investment, create real economic growth and make breakthroughs that benefit our lives and health.”