£200m Science Boost for Surrey

There has been a mixed response to yesterday’s publication of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.  Each area within the UK is currently analysing the finer details of each proposal made by the Government and establishing how it will affect proceedings within their constituency.  Significant proportions of the available funding have been earmarked for infrastructure projects, designed to create more jobs and facilitate economic growth.

However, the Chancellor announced the release of funding to the tune of £200m to be specifically spent on science projects in Surrey.  Although this news is very much welcomed, it is almost bitter sweet when last year’s cash freeze relating to the annual science budget of £4.6bn is considered.  Nevertheless, this injection of funds will allow a laboratory complex in Surrey to be built and operated by the Institute of Animal Health.


This particular project will benefit greatly from the £80m allocation and allow the focused research on avian diseases: these diseases have considerable implications on the economy due to the adverse affect on livestock within the food chain, as well as the ability of these diseases to pass to humans.

Other projects to be included in the Surrey science fund allocation are;

• £61m for a range of science base infrastructure capital projects
• £25 for technology research in areas such as low-carbon vehicles
• £21m for a space radar project
• £13m to establish a supercomputing service

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science said: "This new £200m capital investment in science is excellent news for our research base and our economy, and takes the total additional science investment since the budget to almost half a billion.
"It will ensure we maintain our leading position in research, providing cutting-edge new facilities and vital infrastructure. It also underpins important industrial sectors and will unlock private investment in new products and services, driving growth and creating high-tech, highly-skilled jobs."



With this allocation of funding to the science sector, the direct effect on the Surrey communities will hopefully be noticeable.  Local industries, including the housing market will benefit from the increase in spending power from the public.  The housing market is one of the most importance influencers of any local economy and Surrey is no different.

If the housing market improves on its current position, the effects of the Autumn Statement will be felt by all the associated industries such as: estate agents, removal companies and self storage operators.  Although the implementation of these proposals will take time, the economic recovery process needs to begin somewhere if progress is to be made.

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