An unexpected bouquet of white lilies and roses greeted David Willetts, Britain's minister for science, when he arrived at a press conference on 20 October to announce the government's plans for research spending over the next four years. In better times, he might have been met with a barrage of rotten fruit. The research base will continue to be funded at its current level, ￡4.6 billion (US$7.2 billion), for the four-year review period - which amounts to an effective cut of 10% if inflation projections are factored in. In addition, an essential funding stream for large projects will probably be substantially cut, along with research in many government departments. But these are not better times. Faced with a record deficit of ￡109 billion, the British government is slashing expenditure by an average of 19% across its departments. In the face of such austerity, Willetts called the science budget a "fantastic deal", and many agreed.
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