- New report from the NAO examines how effectively DSIT and UKRI work together to develop and operate research infrastructure that meets the needs of government, researchers, and industry
- Report finds DSIT is taking a more active role, including issuing clear
objectives to influence funding, to align with national priorities - Some key projects are experiencing problems – notably the delay in procuring a new supercomputer – and the UK has fallen behind international competitors in this area
- In the university sector, £5.6 billion of maintenance is needed
Research infrastructure consists of the facilities, resources and services used to conduct research and innovation activities. They are a key part of the UK’s innovation landscape and integral to its role as a hub for international collaboration.
In its new report, the NAO evaluates the relationship between the sponsors and funders of research in the UK, and how those bodies are working to provide the infrastructure needed to fulfil the needs of government, researchers and industry.
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is responsible for two thirds of the government’s R&D spending. It sponsors UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), to invest in research and innovation on behalf of government. UKRI spent £1.2 billion on research infrastructure in 2024-25.
The NAO finds improvements in DSIT’s approach since it last reported on this subject.1 It says DSIT is starting to do more to ensure that UKRI spends money in line with policy ambitions, including on six ‘frontier technologies’ such as AI, cybersecurity and quantum technologies. UKRI has introduced a more consistent and professional approach to funding research infrastructure. DSIT and UKRI have worked well, at speed, to establish the National Quantum Computing Centre.
But there are some key projects causing concern.
Notably, progress on a new national supercomputer2 has been too slow, and the UK has fallen behind international competitors in this area, the report says. The current supercomputer, ARCHER2, will close thirteen months before its replacement is ready.
Elsewhere, the NAO has found business cases have often been too optimistic, leading to projects being scaled back subsequently, including the upgrade to the John Innes Centre. The project to upgrade the FAAM Airborne Laboratory had spent £46 million of its £49 million budget before UKRI decided to stop providing funding to operate the aircraft. This means it will not fly again, although UKRI believes most of the scientific instruments developed as part of the upgrade project could be used for other purposes.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) operates some of UKRI’s largest research facilities. It estimated in 2023 that 45% of its estate is in an unacceptable condition, with a maintenance backlog of £360 million.
In the university sector, financial sustainability issues are leading to the deterioration of research infrastructure. Research England estimates that universities are spending £1.8 billion annually on maintaining research infrastructure (with £758 million of that spent entirely on maintenance). It also estimates that £5.6 billion would be needed to return all university-owned infrastructure to a fully operational condition.
The report makes a number of recommendations overall, including that UKRI should adopt a portfolio approach to the management of its research infrastructure estate to support national priorities.
“DSIT and UKRI are making headway on the oversight and management of research infrastructure to support strategic government priorities.
“But a number of key risks remain to government’s ambition for the UK to be one of the top three places in the world to create, invest in and scale-up a fast-growing technology business.”
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO
Read the full report
DSIT’s investment in research infrastructure
Notes for editors
- BIS’s capital investment in science projects – NAO report (2016)
- Figure 6 in the report demonstrates the programme to develop the new supercomputer to replace ARCHER2.