Medical research in Scotland
Charities are a major funder of medical research and development in Scotland, investing an estimated £122m in 2018. However, with charities facing unprecedented financial pressures, many of which have been caused by the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, concerns are being raised about future investment levels. You can learn more by reading reports from the British Heart Foundation and the Fraser of Allander Institute, part of the University of Strathclyde.
A report from Fraser of Allander Institute, part of the University of Strathclyde and commissioned by the British Heart Foundation, found that investment by the third sector plays a vital role in not just the health of the nation but the health of the economy, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs and driving growth across the whole of Scotland.
Among the key findings, the report reveals;
- Charities are a major funder of medical research and development in Scotland, investing an estimated £122m.
- Such investment supports more than 7,400 jobs in Scotland.
- The sector is one of the most effective in Scotland in driving economic growth and employment. Every £1 million spent on medical research by charities generates £1.33 million of Gross Value Added for the Scottish economy – putting the sector 4th out of 97 sectors– ahead of the construction, retail and hospitality industries.
- Charity funded medical research supports more jobs per £1 million spend than many other sectors including food and drink, construction, fishing and the financial services. Every £1 million spent supports 31 jobs, almost double the Scotland average of 17.
However, with charities facing unprecedented financial pressures, many of which have been caused by the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, concerns are being raised about future investment levels.
We believe charity funded research paid for by public donations can play a pivotal role in helping the nation recover economically from the effects of the pandemic. However, we fears any fall in investment could lead to long-term shortages in highly skilled medical researchers here - impacting Scotland’s ability to find the medical treatments and breakthroughs of the future and to maintain its reputation as a world leader in research and development.
We believe the Scottish Government could support the sector further, by increasing funding for infrastructure and career development for scientists and researchers, protecting and enhancing Scotland’s reputation as a world leader in research and development. The Scottish Government invests more than a third less per head of the population on medical research than the UK government in England and is now asking for an extra £37 million to be allocated to the Chief Scientist Office to bring it in line with Westminster.
Without increased investment, we fear that progress may stall and opportunities for Scottish-based research will be lost as students are unable to secure the funding they need to carry out their work here.
Read the Fraser of Allander Report
Read BHF Scotland’s Completing the Puzzle Report
The BHF is the largest independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland and is entirely dependent on donations from the public, currently funding £60 million in research across ten universities in Scotland, supporting more than 300 staff many in the early development stages of their careers.