Rosalind Campion, CEO of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:
"Today’s Budget backs research and innovation, which is good news for medical researchers and the patients who benefit from their work.
"The Budget rightly recognises what AI can do for NHS productivity. The British Data Centre covenant's focus on secure, reliable computing for the NHS could also help to build the public confidence that health data can be used safely and securely by researchers and AI to spot disease early and unlock innovative new medicines.
"Over £1bn of public-private investment in life sciences will support health research and the development of transformative medicines across the country, helping to make the UK a powerhouse for discovery and development. Stronger regional clusters of universities, industry and NHS organisations can help share knowledge and commercialise the UK’s world-class research.
"As fiscal responsibility is increasingly devolved and place-based growth becomes more important, national leadership on health innovation must work hand in hand with local action to maximise impact. Devolved funding and powers can help strengthen regional capabilities, but this shouldn’t disrupt existing investments or those which are best co-ordinated at a national scale.
"Ring-fencing prevention spending is an encouraging step towards the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘preventative state’ that invests in people’s success, which will benefit the health and resilience of our population and economy. Alongside this, the Government needs to change the way it measures the value of health spending, so it can see what’s working and enhance its return on investment. Ahead of the next Spending Review, the Academy is developing a framework to help ministers take fuller account of long-term health outcomes, labour market participation, economic growth, innovation and future disease prevention, and better align health and economic policy objectives.
"Despite today’s positive news, we can’t take research funding for granted. Continued investment is essential if we are to leverage the UK’s world-class life sciences research to drive economic growth and turn scientific advances into healthier lives. Research funding must be maintained at next year’s Spending Review if the Government is to stick to its manifesto commitment to replace short funding cycles with ten-year budgets. Certainty and stability for researchers, investors and industry partners is essential for research to flourish."