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The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns about UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), claiming it lacks transparency, measurable objectives, and up-to-date systems.
The cross-party committee recommended that Whitehall introduce formal impact assessments of UKRI’s funding decisions, alongside better identification of where the UK is failing to convert research strengths into scaled-up innovation. It also called for more effort to close persistent skills gaps.
PAC chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said: “Our inquiry found that the environment in which UKRI operates poses significant challenges in translating important research into successful going concerns.”
UKRI’s work has particular importance for STEM-related fields, as most of its nine member bodies—including Innovate UK, EPSRC, and MRC—are dedicated to science and engineering disciplines.
The committee criticised UKRI’s internal systems, noting 15% of its grant applications lacked a full description. It also warned that without clear goals and reliable data, it’s difficult to track progress or ensure accountability—especially when assessing whether UKRI is driving increased private sector investment, expected to reach £46 billion in 2024.
PAC members urged UKRI and its parent department, DSIT, to align their approach to risk and improve transparency, especially for external investors. They also called out gaps in data-sharing across government and concerns over IT infrastructure and cyber resilience.
Amid growing global competition and tighter budgets for universities, the PAC said UKRI must evolve to meet the moment. “There is much more to do if UKRI is to become the focused actor delivering on government’s priorities,” concluded Sir Geoffrey.
Meanwhile, UKRI this week announced a £168 million investment into the ADR UK data research programme, supporting evidence-based policymaking across health, education, justice and the economy.
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