Calls to reverse proposed UK cuts to global health research

On 11 March 2021, severe cuts were announced to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Official Development Assistance (ODA) related spending.  [1]

UKRI is UK’s largest public funder of research and innovation, including many international projects related to global health.

The proposed cuts of £125m mean no new projects will start and existing projects will not be supported after July 2021.

A BMJ includes more details, including the contrast between this relatively small amount and the £37 billions spent on track and trace.

This includes links to a sign-on letter and petition to parliament, both asking to reverse the proposed cutes to global health research. [3, 4]

References

1. UKRI Official Development Assistance letter. (11 March 2021).
   https://www.ukri.org/our-work/ukri-oda-letter-11-march-2021
2. BMJ blog. The government must urgently reconsider UK Research and Innovation funding cuts. (17 March 2021).
   https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/03/17/the-government-must-urgently-reconsider-uk-research-and-innovation-funding-cuts
3. Open letter – Revoke decision on UKRI funding cuts
   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_cn28DpU0A-wCfW39_hEq8aNRHdCkL8ySdOT_L9eZlkju-Q/viewform
4. Revoke Government cuts to global health research.
   https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/580046

This report was first posted on 26 March 2021.