- New report from the NAO examines how effectively DSIT and
UKRI work together to develop and operate research infrastructure
that meets the needs of government, researchers, and industry
- Report finds DSIT is taking a more active role, including
issuing clear objectives to influence funding, to align with
national priorities
- Some key projects are experiencing problems – notably the
delay in procuring a new supercomputer – and the UK has fallen
behind international competitors in this area
- In the university sector, £5.6 billion of maintenance is
needed
Research infrastructure consists of the facilities, resources and
services used to conduct research and innovation activities. They
are a key part of the UK's innovation landscape and integral to
its role as a hub for international collaboration.
In its new report, the NAO evaluates the relationship between the
sponsors and funders of research in the UK, and how those bodies
are working to provide the infrastructure needed to fulfil the
needs of government, researchers and industry.
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is
responsible for two thirds of the government's R&D spending.
It sponsors UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), to invest in
research and innovation on behalf of government. UKRI spent £1.2
billion on research infrastructure in 2024-25.
The NAO finds improvements in DSIT's approach since it last
reported on this subject.1 It says DSIT is starting to
do more to ensure that UKRI spends money in line with policy
ambitions, including on six ‘frontier technologies' such as AI,
cybersecurity and quantum technologies. UKRI has introduced a
more consistent and professional approach to funding research
infrastructure. DSIT and UKRI have worked well, at speed, to
establish the National Quantum Computing Centre.
But there are some key projects causing concern.
Notably, progress on a new national supercomputer2 has
been too slow, and the UK has fallen behind international
competitors in this area, the report says. The current
supercomputer, ARCHER2, will close thirteen months before its
replacement is ready.
Elsewhere, the NAO has found business cases have often been too
optimistic, leading to projects being scaled back subsequently,
including the upgrade to the Centre. The project to upgrade
the FAAM Airborne Laboratory had spent £46 million of its £49
million budget before UKRI decided to stop providing funding to
operate the aircraft. This means it will not fly again, although
UKRI believes most of the scientific instruments developed as
part of the upgrade project could be used for other purposes.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) operates
some of UKRI's largest research facilities. It estimated in 2023
that 45% of its estate is in an unacceptable condition, with a
maintenance backlog of £360 million.
In the university sector, financial sustainability issues are
leading to the deterioration of research infrastructure. Research
England estimates that universities are spending £1.8 billion
annually on maintaining research infrastructure (with £758
million of that spent entirely on maintenance). It also estimates
that £5.6 billion would be needed to return all university-owned
infrastructure to a fully operational condition.
The report makes a number of recommendations overall, including
that UKRI should adopt a portfolio approach to the management of
its research infrastructure estate to support national
priorities.
, head of the NAO,
said:
“DSIT and UKRI are making headway on the oversight and
management of research infrastructure to support strategic
government priorities.
“But a number of key risks remain to government's ambition
for the UK to be one of the top three places in the world to
create, invest in and scale-up a fast-growing technology
business.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
-
BIS's capital investment in
science projects - NAO report (2016)
- Figure 6 in the report demonstrates the programme to develop
the new supercomputer to replace ARCHER2.
