CROSS-CUTTING REVIEW OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

On 25 June 2001, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Smith, announced seven initial cross-cutting reviews that will contribute to the Spending Review 2002. The Science and Research cross-cutting review will include a review of funding of the UK science base, and the effectiveness of departments’ own science and research programmes to ensure that they deliver maximum long term benefits to the economy and quality of life.

The full terms of reference are:

To consider how to maximise the benefits provided by public spending on science and research to the UK’s economy and quality of life. In particular:

Science funding by OST/DTI and DfES

• to review current funding mechanisms and levels, and to identify the priorities for resources across the funding streams held by the Office of Science and Technology and the Department for Education and Skills

• to review current funding mechanisms for knowledge and technology transfer from the science and engineering base and mechanisms to promote adoption by business, and to identify priorities for future use of resources

• to take stock of studies commissioned or reporting since the last Spending Review, and with potential implications for resources, including:
• he Transparency Review, on the costing of university activities

Civil research commissioned by Government departments

• to assess the scientific and technological capabilities of Government departments with significant research needs; to review current and planned levels of activity; and compare both capabilities and activity levels with likely scenarios over the next decade, and to identify priorities

• to identify proposals for improving the effectiveness and value for money of civil research commissioned by departments, to maximise the impact of available resources; and to increase the contribution made to the Government’s broad goals for the economy and quality of life, including mechanisms for knowledge and technology transfer.

Lord Sainsbury (Minister for Science) is the ministerial lead for the Review and is supported by a team of officials from HM Treasury, the Office of Science and Technology and the Department for Education and Skills.  The Review will aim to report by the end of this year.

Further information can be obtained from Andrew Morgan, Enterprise Team, HM Treasury, Allington Towers, 19 Allington St, London SW1E 5EB, tel: 020 7270 4514, e-mail: andrew.morgan@hm-treasury.gov.uk”