The £4.6bn yearly spend on scientific research will be frozen for the review period, guaranteeing "flat cash" for universities and research councils, sources at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills told the Guardian.
The freeze corresponds to a cut in real terms, as inflation reduces the spending power of the budget year on year. The reduction after four years is expected to be around 10%.
A further £1.4bn spent on large facilities will not be protected, however, and is expected to be cut by around 50% in line with reductions in capital expenditure anticipated in other department.
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