NHSF spending review submission
On 24th September NHSF submitted a written representation to HM Treasury in advance of this year’s Comprehensive Spending Review. A CSR representation is a written representation that comments on government policy or suggests new policy ideas for the Comprehensive Spending Review. The CSR determines funding to government departments and normally works on a 3-year cycle, though following the cancellation of this year’s Autumn Budget there is some thinking that this year’s settlements may only cover one year. The published priorities of this CSR are:
- strengthening the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19 be prioritising jobs and skills
- levelling up economic opportunity across all nationals and regions of the country by investing in infrastructure, innovation and people - thus closing the gap with our competitors by spreading opportunity, maximising productivity and improving the value of each hour worked.
- improving outcomes in public services, including supporting the NHS and taking steps to cut crime and ensure every young person receives a superb education.
- making the UK a scientific superpower, including leading in the development of technologies that will support the government’s ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050
- strengthening the UK’s place in the world
- improving the management and delivery of our commitments, ensuring that all departments have the appropriate structures and processes in place to deliver their outcomes and commitments on time and within budget
NHSF’s submission called for government investment in the heritage science and conservation research infrastructure (which is currently under consideration by UKRI) and called for the UK Government to sign up to the UK’s participation in the European Infrastructure for Heritage Science Infrastructure ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium).
We have worked with members and colleagues from other parts of the sector to amplify this message, notably Icon and the Heritage Alliance.
You can read NHSF's submission here.