Taxpayers are forking out £6billion on « nonsense » research projects despite a pledge to crack down on government waste, analysis shows.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowed to squeeze out wasteful spending using an « iron fist » on Tuesday as the Treasury works on a sweeping spending review to be published next year.
Whitehall departments have each been tasked with finding 5% worth of savings so spending can focus on the Government’s priorities.
But a huge amount of public money is being spent on research projects. They include £200,000 on a study into the environmental impact of Star Wars, £1.7million on a study of literary decolonisation in Africa, almost £40,000 towards studying queer cinema and the LGBT+ movement in China and £240,000 on cultural entrepreneurship in vegan meat markets.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance analysis also shows the amount of money spent on such projects has rocketed by 25% over the last four years.
Campaigners are calling for Ms Reeves to take her « iron fist » to the Science Department’s financial backing of certain research projects in academia.
The Government quango, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has dished out £6bn in grants to universities this year alone, according to the Telegraph.
Taxpayers’ Alliance’s investigations campaign manager, Joanna Marchong, said taxpayers will begin to question the value of UKRI and its research projects.
She told the publication: « UKRI has received bigger budgets year on year in hopes of fuelling cutting-edge research and innovative technologies, but instead, they have wasted millions of pounds on nonsense projects. »
Ms Marchong added that if research budgets continue to expand, ministers must ensure they are allocated to effective projects and focus on « worthwhile project outcomes ».
A spokesman for UKRI said: « From blue skies research to business-led innovation, UKRI’s dynamic portfolio of investments underpins the UK’s world-class research and innovation system.
« The research we fund helps drive sustainable economic growth, creates high-quality jobs, and improves public services for people across the UK. »
He added that UKRI invests in a diverse research and innovation portfolio, with decisions to fund research projects made via a rigorous peer review process by independent experts from across academia and business.
Ms Reeves claimed on Tuesday that the previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to go to waste on poor-value-for-money projects.
She added: « We will not tolerate it. I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste. »
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