Companies and charities will not likely compensate for the government’s looming science budget cuts. They say that it is not their responsibility to make up for the difference in university research if the proposed cuts are approved. UK R&D spending from the private sector totals about £13 billion ($20.6 billion) a year. Much of that goes toward partnerships with universities to fund basic science or to develop product ideas. Company and charity executives say that such funding is contingent on strong public funding of the university system. In 2008–2009, the government contributed £3.3 billion ($5.2 billion) to research councils and £2.2 billion ($3.5 billion) for higher education councils. If the cuts happen, charities and companies will likely invest their money elsewhere.

Source: Guardian