MRC response to UKCMRI savings
Government funding for UKCMRI, subject to the Government receiving a satisfactory business case at the end of the year, will now be provided as required over the next 5 years in parallel with construction, rather than funding in advance.
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council said:
“The Medical Research Council understands the need for budget savings in the current economic climate. We are satisfied that the Government is fully committed to UKCMRI and to the £250m announced in March. £17m is still being provided to the project to cover costs actually incurred this financial year. We do not expect that the decision to phase funding will impact the scope of the project or change the Government’s existing or future commitment to UKCMRI.
UKCMRI is a key priority for the Medical Research Council and also Research Councils UK (RCUK). As a world class centre for interdisciplinary medical research, UKCMRI will bring together the brightest scientific minds to tackle the major health challenges of the 21st century.”
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