Overview

• The National Audit Office (NAO) report criticizes UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for lacking clear, measurable objectives and a coherent government-set direction for research priorities.
• Persistent data integration issues, stemming from legacy systems of predecessor organizations, hinder UKRI's ability to manage investments effectively.
• UKRI's counter-fraud team is under-resourced, with backlogs and limited capacity, recovering just £80,000 of £42.6 million in suspected fraud in 2023.
• The NAO recommends UKRI adopt time-bound objectives, improve decision-support data, and bolster fraud controls to enhance value for public investments.
• UKRI has pledged to implement a new counter-fraud strategy by September 2025 and align with government priorities as the UK prepares a new industrial strategy.