21.03.07
1994 Group welcomes the increase in the Science Budget announced today
The 1994 Group welcomed the Chancellor's announcement in the Budget today that the Science budget will increase from £5 billion to £6.3 billion by 2010-11.
Responding to the statement, Paul M. Marshall, Executive Director of the 1994 Group, said:
'The 1994 Group welcomes the Chancellor's statement. The Chancellor has quite rightly identified the role that UK Higher Education plays in leading global scientific research. The additional investment announced today will enable our institutions to protect and improve our position in an increasingly competitive global market.'
Notes for editors
Established in 1994, the 1994 Group brings together nineteen internationally renowned, research-intensive universities. The Group provides a central vehicle to help members promote their common interests in higher education, respond efficiently to key policy issues, and share best methods and practice.
The 1994 Group represents nineteen of the most research-intensive universities in the UK. Our members tend to be campus-based, small- to medium-sized institutions. They operate on a scale which allows them to respond rapidly and flexibly to student needs whilst having sufficient size to make a substantial contribution to high-quality research.
The overall strength of our research performance is demonstrated by the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise results, in which 1994 Group institutions received some of the highest results in the country. 92% of the Group's academic staff selected for assessment received ratings of 4 and above, 65% were rated 5 and above, and 17% received the highest possible rating of 5*. These results are even more impressive when you consider that, with 88% of our staff included for assessment, 1994 Group members submitted proportionately more staff than any other higher education mission group.
Members of the 1994 Group are Bath, Birkbeck University of London, Durham, East Anglia, Essex, Exeter, Goldsmiths University of London, Lancaster, Leicester, Loughborough, Queen Mary University of London, Reading, Royal Holloway University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, St Andrews, Surrey, Sussex, Warwick and York.
Press Enquiries: Stuart Franklin, Head of Press and PR, University of Exeter, 01392 263146, Paul M. Marshall, Executive Director, 1994 Group, 0207 1642095
1994 Group: www.1994group.co.uk