Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
UKRI demonstrates a wide-ranging role supporting government R&I across multiple departments.
Conclusion
DSIT told us that it asks UKRI to work closely with departments, such as the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, ensure governmental R&I work is joined up.14 The NAO found 105 government policy papers across 13 ministerial departments in the period 2021 to 2024 where UKRI was expected to play a role, or its activities contribute to their delivery. Across these policy papers, examples of UKRI’s role included: acting as a partner to operationalise national and local government strategies; funding specific projects and programmes that contribute to a department’s strategy; and supporting knowledge exchange.15 UKRI told us that its role as a “joiner-upper” between departments and R&I is key to getting value for money from the £20.4 billion annual R&D expenditure across government.16