Stephen Curry is Professor of Structural Biology and Vice Chair of Science is Vital - which campaigns to prevent damaging cuts to UK science funding.

How do you judge this government’s record on research spending?

It’s been a real mixed bag. Going back to May 2010 there were all sorts of dark threats about cuts across the board and that the science community would have to do more with less. That catalysed the formation of Science is Vital and mobilised many other scientists and members of the public to protest, and in the end there was a ring fence settlement with the budget frozen at £4.6billion from 2010 to 2014.

Science is Vital rally in front of HM Treasury in October 2010

Yet over that period there’s been a 15% erosion of the budget in real terms due to inflation, such that the UK’s research spending has dropped to just 0.5% of GDP – the lowest in the G8. That’s why Science is Vital is calling for a budget commitment of 0.8%, the G8 average – and campaigning to get people to talk about this issue with their parliamentary candidates during the election.

But the UK has always punched above its weight?

Yes, that’s true. If you look at the global picture, about 3% of total investment in research is spent in UK but we produce 10% of the scientific papers. We have a very productive research base but you simply cannot expect to sustain a vibrant system over the long term if the budget continues to decline.

What is the future outlook in terms of election pledges?

All the parties say very nice things to effect of ‘we believe science is important for the economy, and we will invest,’ but neither the Conservatives nor Labour have given any indication that they will protect the existing ring fence around the research budget, which is a real concern. The Liberal Democrats have committed to increase the budget 3% year-on-year above inflation, but that would require negotiation with any future coalition partner. Interestingly, the Green Party has committed to increase the research budget as a percentage of GDP from 0.5% to 1%, which is highly ambitious; yet they would seek an immediate ban on any form of animal testing, which would seriously harm Britain’s efforts to conduct medical research.

For more information about the Science is Vital campaign visit: scienceisvital.org.uk

Stephen is also speaking at Imperial Festival on Saturday 9 May //www.imperial.ac.uk/be-inspired/festival/whats-on/activities/is-science-vital-to-you.php