Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of previous research grant cuts on UK space research and development.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) within UKRI is not seeing an overall cut to funding, its budget will be maintained from £835 million in 2025/26 to £842 million in 2029/30. In addition, applicant-led research grants in STFC will rise from £83 million in 26/27 to £90 million in 29/30.

Due to cost pressures from rising energy, inflation, foreign exchange, and ambitious commitments from the previous SR, STFC needs to find savings relative to forecast operational costs. STFC is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its portfolio in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics (PPAN). The impacts of different modelled scenarios across the broad and diverse range of STFC-funded facilities and programmes will be considered alongside feedback from the sector when taking final decisions.

The UK will also continue to invest in collaborative space science through the UK Space Agency, which has been allocated £2.8 billion over the next 4 years.

DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its specific investment decisions are informed by meaningful consultation with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability, research institutions and international standing.