HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor Announces £1 billion Science Partnership with Wellcome Trust [July 2000]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 5 July 2000.

A £1 billion investment in buildings, laboratories and equipment for science research was announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown, Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers and Education Secretary David Blunkett today. Also announced today is new money for science and engineering PhD students.

The new two year Science Research Investment Fund partnership between Government and the Wellcome Trust will mean Government investment in science infrastructure of £325m in 2002/3 and £450m in 2003/4. The Wellcome Trust will provide £225m to support biomedical research.

This is additional to the settlement for science in the previous comprehensive spending review, including a Government/Wellcome Trust Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF) for universities of £750m, which runs until 2001/02.

Speaking at a conference of UK and US entrepreneurs in London, Mr Brown said:

“The commitment to science must mean constant renewal and modernisation of our science base. The scale of this investment is unprecedented, ensuring world class facilities for world class science. I am most grateful to the Wellcome Trust”.

Stephen Byers said:

“We have world class scientists in the UK. They rightly deserve world class facilities and this is exactly what we are now delivering. This unparalleled partnership will mean that scientists in the UK will have the facilities to be at the cutting edge of research worldwide. Following on from the Joint Infrastructure Fund we set up with the Wellcome Trust in 1998 this will enable us to repair the damage done in previous decade.”

Wellcome Trust Director Mike Dexter said:

“Our collaboration with Government is already delivering crucial new investment to the UK’s universities. There is a great deal more to be done to keep UK science at the cutting edge, and I am proud that Wellcome has again been able to partner the Government to achieve that”.

The fund steps up Government’s commitment to modernising the science base. It reflects the findings of the science research cross-cutting review that – despite the positive impact of JIF – further major capital investment is needed. Consultation with universities showed that this was one of their most pressing concerns. As well as universities, Government research institutes and large national science facilities will benefit from the new fund.

The Chancellor also announced an uprating in PhD stipends for science and engineering postgraduate students. Basic stipends, outside London currently £6620 a year, will rise to £6800 in the coming academic year, to £7500 at the beginning of the 2001/02 academic year and to £9000 by academic year 2003/4. This is a 23% increase in real terms.

The Chancellor said:

“Alongside physical capital it is vital that we invest in human capital. Postgraduate researchers are the lifeblood of our science base. This investment will ensure that we continue to attract the finest minds into Phd programmes”.

David Blunkett said:

“This is investment that will keep Britain in the lead in research. We have a proud record. The Government is committed to sustaining our position. This is excellent news for universities and for the research teams themselves.”