Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Official Development Assistance Reductions: Higher Education

Monday 26 April 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions on the impact of ODA funding reductions on higher education research have been ongoing with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
  • Universities face financial challenges due to ODA cuts, with some needing to find additional funds to sustain critical research projects.
  • BEIS manages ODA allocations for the 2021-22 financial year and communicates with delivery partners regarding the review of ODA funding options for individual programmes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Education Economy Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the effect of reduced official development assistance (ODA) funding on higher education research and university operations.

Question

What recent discussions have there been between my Department and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy regarding the impact of ODA funding reductions on higher education research and universities?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

My Department and I regularly discuss research in universities in England with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Government investment in research and development across the UK is up to £14.9 billion in 2021-22.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of ODA funding reductions on higher education research was not addressed.

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Q2 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Education Taxation Science & Technology
Context

Universities in Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Coventry have been leaders in the Global Challenges Research Fund but now face significant funding gaps due to ODA cuts.

Question

With the reductions in ODA funding, universities such as those in Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Coventry are having to find additional seven-figure sums to keep life-saving research going. Is this really part of the Tories' levelling-up agenda?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

Our commitment to research and innovation is demonstrated by increasing investment in R&D to £14.6 billion, highlighting central importance of international collaboration in a healthy and productive sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact on universities due to ODA cuts was not addressed.

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Q3 Stuart McDonald SNP
NHS Science & Technology
Context

Twelve flagship research hubs were set to support sustainable development goals but may now face termination due to recent funding cuts, risking both research progress and jobs.

Question

Research projects are midway through human clinical trials but might not continue due to ODA cuts. How can the Government justify such funding reductions mid-trial in clear violation of medical ethics?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

BEIS is currently managing financial year 2021-22 ODA allocations, communicating with delivery partners and setting out next steps for the review of ODA funding options for individual programmes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The justification for mid-trial research project cuts was not provided.

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Q4 Alan Brown SNP
Economy Science & Technology
Context

Universities report that research contracts are being terminated with short notice, undermining trust between researchers, universities, and UK Research and Innovation.

Question

Due to the cuts in ODA funding, universities have reported termination of research contracts at very short notice. This has led to a risk assessment requirement on the UK Government's ability to honour future commitments. Why does this happen?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

BEIS is working with UKRI, GCRF, Newton Fund delivery partners to manage financial year 2021-22 ODA allocations. Partners have been communicated with and next stages of review will be set out by award holders.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The reason for the Government's promises being risk assessed was not addressed.

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