Budget 2025 and chemistry
While there was little about science in the Chancellor's speech, chemistry skills and knowledge will be critical to make Government plans a reality.
Today's budget once again showed why the chemical sciences will be central to economic growth in this country. From life sciences to defence and clean energy to advanced manufacturing, the chemical sciences make a vital contribution to economic growth and industrial strategy. It is chemistry skills and knowledge that will be the bedrock on which we will safely build new nuclear capacity and recover the critical minerals vital to a modern economy.
This starts with an excellent chemistry education for all, to boost skills and growth alongside equality of opportunity. It is vital that Government invests in the chemistry teaching workforce, to maintain skills and tackle shortages. With substantial plans rightly promised to support SEND pupils, but no extra funds committed in this budget, schools will continue to face financial challenges. This in turn could mean that investment in developing teachers and ensuring all pupils have access to high-quality practical based learning in their chemistry lessons will suffer.
Universities are a major training pathway into the chemical sciences, equipping graduates with the practical, digital and sustainability skills employers need across the Government鈥檚 priority sectors. However, UK higher education 鈥� which delivers research, innovations and skilled people who are central to the Government鈥檚 Industrial Strategy ambitions 鈥� is facing significant financial challenges, which are translating into cuts in staff and courses are expected to become more pressing with confirmation in today鈥檚 budget of the next steps on the international student levy. We would also like to see more science apprenticeships e.g. Technicians.
The UK delivers excellent, world-leading and impactful chemical science research and innovation. Announcements this week confirming UKRI鈥檚 multi-year funding and a commitment to the vital role of discovery-based research are welcome.
The budget comes at a difficult time for chemistry in universities and many chemistry sectors. We will continue to engage constructively with Government to ensure the measures and spending announced help maximise the chemical sciences' knowledge and workforce potential.