NERC response to the DTI's Spring Supplementary Estimates

29 March 2007

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) announces today the outcome of its Council's discussions on the loss of £9·7m as a result of the DTI's Spring Supplementary Estimates*.

NERC Council is disappointed by this, particularly as it comes at a time when the importance of environmental science has never been higher, nor has the need for understanding of the environmental changes taking place around us been greater.

NERC has been driving administrative efficiencies for some time, so the loss of £9·7m will inevitably have some impact on science delivery. Rather than take immediate action we will, over the next three years, make small savings across our research centres, directed programmes and grants. This will be done in a balanced way to reduce the impact in any one area of our activities.

We welcome the headline announcement in the recent Budget regarding the Comprehensive Spending Review settlement. However, we await the specific outcome for NERC, which should be known by the autumn.

Further information

NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411727 or 411561
Mob: 07917 086369 or 557215

Notes

1. The Natural Environment Research Council funds world-class science, in universities and its own research centres, that increases knowledge and understanding of the natural world. It is tackling the 21st century's major environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity and natural hazards. It leads in providing independent research and training in the environmental sciences.

Press release: 12/07

NERC response to the DTI's Spring Supplementary Estimates

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