Slashing science spending is false economy, warns Chuka Umunna

Labour's former business spokesman says government risks 'cutting off its nose to spite its face' if it raids grants that support productivity in spending review

The government will "cut off its nose to spite its face" if it slashes science spending and cuts investment grants in the comprehensive spending review this month, according to Chuka Umunna, the former Labour business spokesman.

Speaking to manufacturing bosses in the Midlands on Wednesday, Umunna said Britain's recovery would suffer a setback if the chancellor sought to make savings from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the grants that support productivity improvements and growth.

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