The government has shocked the mathematics community by announcing that it is withdrawing £6 million in grant funding from a new Academy for Mathematical Sciences.
The impetus for creating this Academy came from a 2018 review chaired by professor Philip Bond. His review recommended how to maximize the benefits of mathematical sciences to the UK economy and to wider society. It drew on responses from a host of universities and all the learned societies in mathematics and was advised by a board of mathematical luminaries. Its number one recommendation was the creation of this new academy – which would improve links between academia, government and industry.
Investing in mathematics is one of the most cost-effective measures the government can take to boost our economy
According to estimates by Deloitte, in 2010 mathematics contributed over £208 billion to the UK economy. Annual spending on mathematics research in the period 2008-2013 was £354 million. Using this data, the Bond review suggested the cost-benefit ratio of mathematics research is one to 588.
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