The Spending Review

A 'rolling post' on the Spending Review - for the first posts please scroll to the bottom. 

1421  So the analysis now starts as people try to find a little (or any) detail in the numbers just announced.
I am waiting for statements from the various University boards to get more of the detail for HE but my initial feeling is that it is bad maybe not as bad as predicted but that will only be clear in a few months. The teaching budget is down, the research budget is down a little less than feared. That said there is going to have to be some pinching across the sector and research capacity will be reduced. There does seem to be a focus on science rather than the wider subjects available and this may be particularly damaging to the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
More broadly, an interesting review for the politics thrown up. The body language was interesting. Clegg looked uncomfortable - perhaps thinking of how to sell this to his parliamentary and grass routes people. The PM and the Chancellor looked a little more comfortable but the thrust of their argument was 'this is because of what we were left by the last government.' Not completely true as they have always discussed a smaller state (and this is a good opportunity to implement that) but are also wary that this could damage them in the polls too. The shadow chancellor tried to pin this on ideology but faltered - perhaps due to lack of confidence in his brief and perhaps due to a lack of policy. And the Leader of the Opposition did not look happy with his shadow chancellor's performance and wonders if there is a start of another Leader/Chancellor divide in the labour party.
The chips are down and shortly various commentators and the markets will have their verdict. It may be years though before anyone tell if the gamble was worth it.
1400 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT@Queen_UK Have put "new Royal Yacht" on the agenda for this afternoon's audience with the PM, just to see the look on his face.
1359 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs Good article on research funding from BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11579949 Not great but maybe better than feared.

1357 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs BBC analysis says freezing science budget with no inflation actually means cut of 10% to research.

1354 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs Assoc of University Research & Industry Links says HE need to shout more & have impact. True but not popular with academics

1349 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs Leader of the Opposition looks unhappy - wonder if he wants to take the stand instead? #csr

1343 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs From Friend via text: "You watching #csr? Clegg's body language is rather special! Fascinating stuff!" Couldn't agree more

1340 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs Not a great performance by the Shadow Chancellor - tad stilted, all politics no economics. #csr

1333 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT@AURIL_Office well the devil will be in the research budget detail - so we wont know what until January I think

1321 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT@Cardiff_Blogger Benny Women's retirement age should be equal to men. Equality works both ways. #csr

1319 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT@AURIL_Office PROTECTING SCIENCE BUDGET AT 4.6 BILL A YEAR

1307 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT@AURIL_Office Ha MP's Pensions might get a hammering - cant see too many dry eyes

1305 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs Good to know MPs pensions are affected like the rest of the populations. #csr


1257 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs @journotutor Good to know they have to practice like we had too!

1256 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT @journotutor Sounds like rehearsalsRT @Generic_Jammin: "Can somebody get Paul in here" What's up with the live feed on BBC website! We can hear you lady!

1256 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs BBC having issue with feed - very good sound of practicing for the 1pm ... rather than the chancellor #bbs #fail

1254 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT @BBCBreaking Chancellor George Osborne says budgets of every main UK government department to be cut by a third

1252 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs @AnthonyMaxwell That's what we fear ...

1251 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs @AnthonyMaxwell But not clear what the science budget will go to now - rumours it may have to cover more things.

1247 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs RT @ AURIL_Office those who earn the most should pay the most? MMMM

 1244 Lots of numbers on how the budget will be reduced and attacks of the opportunity.  Less detail on what is actually to be cut ... yet. 

1236 Twitter @ cjgrinbergs  PMQs: Science budget not to be cut - any idea what this means for universities #pmqs #csr

1231 Chancellor on his feet - what will the answers be - though I doubt we will have any real answers even when he sits down again. 

1227 Spending review to start in a few moments though many of the announcements seem to have been made in advance and in PMQs.  There have been announcements on defence, security, benefits, housing, education and a new Green Bank.  In my own field of Higher Education, predictions of £3.2 billion from the teaching budget and £1 billion from the research budget.  That said, in PMQs, it was announced that there will be no cuts in the science budget but what this means is a little clear.