Budget 2013: Research - Scientists upset by cash snub

Science supporters were disappointed that the Budget failed to address what they see as long-standing problems with under-funded research facilities crippled by rising running costs.

The Government's last two Budgets included additional commitments to capital investment in laboratories and equipment. This reduced the research capital shortfall, which was nearly £1.7bn after the 2010 Spending Review, to just over £300m.

But George Osborne left the shortfall unchanged, said Beck Smith, acting director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering. "The string of research capital announcements over the last two years have almost addressed the shortfall, but just getting us back to zero isn't going to be enough if we're to remain internationally competitive," Ms Smith said.