Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Monday, 30 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 April 2009. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 2009 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Science: Research

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of research funding for science subjects in (a) Russell Group universities and (b) other universities in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Government funding for research in science and other subjects is now at record levels, with DIUS funding set to reach almost £6 billion by 2010/11. Research funding for universities is allocated on the basis of excellence—through the RAE in the case of the HEFCE Quality Related (QR) block grant, and through peer review of projects in the case of Research Councils. In relation to the recent HEFCE block grant allocation, HEFCE have safeguarded the proportion of funding going to Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.

Secondary information