Ministers urged to up science funding

The biomedical research charity that funded a third of the human genome project says the next UK Government cannot rely on charities to keep Britain in the top league of world science.

Charities are not there to pay for bricks and mortar, says Dr Dexter

Wellcome Trust Director Mike Dexter told a meeting of the Save British Science Society on Wednesday that biomedical charities had helped rebuild research facilities after decades of neglect.

He said: "The medical research charities were not established to invest in equipment or bricks and mortar, but that is exactly what the lack of state funding has led us to do in recent years."

Dr Dexter praised the current government for its investment, but tempered his praise with criticism.

"With some prodding and hundreds of millions of pounds from the medical research charities, the present government has done more to rebuild the UK science base than any other in recent years," he said.

'Failure to act'

"But my message is that there is much more to do and the next government will need to ensure that sustaining the competitiveness of British science is a national priority.

Charities should not become a substitute for adequate state investment

Dr Mike Dexter, Wellcome Trust

"It is a great shame that the present government has failed to act on the issue of providing sufficient funding for the running and maintenance of research facilities in universities," he said.

Dr Dexter said people giving money to charity did not want to see it spent on things which were the responsibility of the state.

He added: "According to the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology, since 1993 the UK has seen a greater drop in expenditure on research and development as a percentage of gross domestic product than any other G7 nation.

"Incredibly, even in these circumstances, the UK has maintained its position in the 'science premiership' and has a science record second only to the United States."

'Government responsibility'

The Wellcome Trust spends nearly £2m a day on biomedical research and plans to spend £2.75bn over the next five years.

It has contributed to joint funding projects with the government.

Dr Dexter said: "But it is the responsibility of government to put in place long-term, recurrent funding to support the science which will take place in the modernised research facilities in universities.

"Long-term political and financial commitment to the UK science base is needed now and is a small price to pay for the health and economic benefits that biomedical research brings."