The number of global deaths of children under-5 is projected to increase this year (from 4.6m to 4.8m) for the first time this century. (FT) The price of aid cuts.

Clinical research drives innovation, new treatments and better healthcare systems. That’s why we’re funding a new round of doctoral programmes for healthcare professionals. Find out more ⤵️ https://wellcome.org/research-funding/schemes/doctoral-programmes-healthcare-professionals

This is good on how fundamental research can lead to unanticipated applications. I especially like the study of root vegetables leading to flat screen TVs (through the discovery of liquid crystals) www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Wait, I thought we could save all the money we needed by cutting diversity hires and reducing unspecified "waste"?

Beth Thompson, Executive Director of Policy & Partnerships, commenting for Wellcome: “This status-quo settlement will keep R&D in the UK on a steady footing. This is important and shouldn't be underestimated, and the recognition of the role of fundamental science is particularly encouraging” […]

‘Investment is a long game that does not transform the immediate growth outlook and spending cuts are difficult.’ The fact that this needs stating by @chrisgiles.ft.com is a bit nuts but there we are www.ft.com/content/f086...

Great article from Wellcome CEO @jarottingen.bsky.social in @politico.com on the need to reform global health and the great work @wellcometrust.bsky.social are doing to develop thinking in this area. For sure a big role for R&D! www.politico.eu/sponsored-co...

Shocking news. 36% of UK children are living in poverty according to the latest Social Metrics Commission research (I am one of the Commissioners) www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Interesting shift to talking about efficiencies across the sector, away from asks for more money. Impressive to see ManMets hefty surplus given sectors financial struggles. But given the diversity of unis, is this a one size fits all answer? And how do we protect & research?

science 🤝 policy

The UK is a stronger nation when it partners with other nations. A new narrative is needed that acknowledges that. Wellcome want to see the UK become the Global Partner of Choice for R&D. But if this isn’t the language, what is? Would love to hear people’s views www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...

UK Life Sciences Sector Plan published John-Arne Røttingen: "The ambition set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan is hugely welcome. Life sciences are a historic strength of the UK, and this strategic vision is important to cement the country’s advantage in the future" www.gov.uk/government/n...

Strength in science can help the UK find its place in a changing world. Wellcome has published a new report on how the UK can be the global partner of choice for R&D, and why investing in science supports diplomacy and security as well as economic growth.

The tank picture gives a slightly more aggressive message than we were going for... but great to see all the big messages from our recent @wellcometrust.bsky.social report "The Global Partner for R&D" covered in THE. www.timeshighereducation.com/news/drop-sc...

My team wrote a report on the UK's role in global R&D. Take a look!

NEW WELLCOME REPORT R&D is a driver of domestic economic growth, but there's so much more that strength in science can do for the UK and the world. Our report sets out a wider narrative for UK R&D, and why the UK needs to move on from 'science superpower' wellcome.org/reports/uk-g...

Great to see the Government ambition to reinvent the NHS through science and tech in the #NHS10yearplan. To realise these changes, investment and a focus on delivery now needed.

More commentary on the Spending Review from me here now wellcome.org/news/spendin...

Wellcome's reaction quote is now online - more analysis to follow shortly wellcome.org/news/wellcom...

It's Spending Review day! The Chancellor has announced £86bn for research over the next four years A big number, particularly in the economic context... ...but it also amounts to a reduction in ambition. Here's why 🎞

R&D spending is in the headlines today on the back of a breathless press release. Enthusiastic coverage is always welcome, but - Pretty much flat in real terms - No info on whether increases are backloaded - Could still be tough for UKRI Need the detail on Weds www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

With funding from @wellcometrust.bsky.social, we commissioned PwC to compare R&D funding systems in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea. The analysis revealed several key themes to help us better understand and evidence the strengths of the UK system. 👇🧵

Wellcome has recently expanded its interests in AI and data for science, so I’m keen to hear from candidate with experience of that as well as domestic and global policy for science. Great team, ambitious CEO and senior team supporting this type of work, free lunch.

🚨Hiring! I’m recruiting two new Policy Advisers to join my team 💷 £61,400 ⏰ 7 May It’s an exciting time to join this growing and evolving team working on UK and global science policy wellcome.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/Wellco...

The Government and @wellcometrust.bsky.social are partnering to establish a new Health Data Research Service. This partnership is exactly what is needed to help to ensure a trustworthy approach, and to build confidence among public, patients and health professionals: bit.ly/3XNJG9w

Great work out of Wellcome today in collab with the UK Gov. c.£600 million to simplify secure access to de-identified health data and speed up research. There’s so much we can learn from secure health data if we simplify how researchers access it 🧠 🤝 wellcome.org/news/nationa...

NEW - Wellcome and UK Government partnering on a new health data research service, contributing up £600m together. This will simplify secure access to health data and speed up research to better understand ill health. wellcome.org/news/nationa...

Strength in R&D is the UK’s biggest defence, says Science Minister www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/uk...

While UK newspapers were falling over themselves to cover the "stalling" EV market, the actual number of EVs on the UK's roads surged by 39% in *just 1 year* The 1.4m EVs, 0.8m PHEVs & 76,000 EV vans on the road in 2024 saved ~£1.7bn in lower fuel costs www.carbonbrief.org/...

See our new report on how industrial strategy can help identify and strengthen UK life sciences clusters. With public finances stretched, the criteria we have developed can help R&I funding deliver maximum X-govt impact. I would particularly encourage people to read the impactful case studies.

Welcome’s submission to the UK Spending Review: 📈 Increase R&D intensity - invest £22bn in R&D in 2026/27 and set a longer-term ambition to become the most R&D intensive economy in the G7 🏫 Fix the funding environment for UK universities to support their financial sustainability