Lack of investment in research 'puts Britain's reputation at risk'

George Osborne warned by chair of science and technology committee over depleted Treasury support for research facilities

Britain will lose its status as a world-leader in research unless investment in science is ramped up to bring the UK in line with the spending of other nations, MPs warn.

While science has traditionally been one of Britain's strengths, spending on research now lags far behind other countries, leaving the UK 12th in the EU in terms of the amount it invests as a portion of GDP.