Science at the top

Science and innovation was given a fairly high profile in today's announcement of the 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review. After outlining spending on defence and law and order, science came next. Although those devoted to basic research may be slightly concerned about the Chancellor's choice of words.

"I can confirm investment in science and university research will rise to over £6 billion a year in three years time, helping ensure British research and industry are brought closer together to develop the new products and services the world wants to buy," he said.

He also promised to fully fund the recommendations in the Cooksey Review, giving OSCHR £1.7bn by 2010. A new Environmental Transformation Fund will get £1.2bn over three years to develop new energy technologies.

And although Alistair Darling "borrowed" several ideas from the Tories, including a green levy on air travel and reforms to inheritance tax, he steered clear of their plans to improve the R&D tax credit, which he failed to mention in either the science and innovation, or tax sections of his speech.

You can read his speech for yourself here. And, if you're a real glutton for punishment, the full PBR and CSR is here.