The UK will never become a 'science superpower' if it's cutting research budgets | Jeremy Farrar

The government promised to increase funding for vital scientific R&D to 2.4% of GDP - but its target is already slipping

Earlier this week, the government put science at the heart of its strategy for the UK's place in the world. In its integrated review, it argued that cutting-edge science and strong leadership from the UK could make a huge difference for humanity. Researchers in the UK could benefit both the UK and the wider world by working to solve global problems such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance and pandemics.

This is completely right - scientists in the UK absolutely can do this. And I'd like to be celebrating the fact that the government has set out this ambitious vision. Unfortunately, the rhetoric doesn't match the reality.