Defence research budget to be cut by £100 million

The MOD is to reduce it's science, innovation and technology budget in 2010-11 by 20%, its already been reduced by 7% this year compared to last year. Companies like Qinetic have already made 400 people redundant because of the existing cuts. You would think, of course, that cutting money going into technology and innovation (which then feeds through into the defence manufacturing sector, one of the few industries still making stuff for export) would be a bad idea especially at the moment. The MOD unfortunately do not agree. But then again their hands are tied, the Treasury wants cuts and there are higher priorities than helping support companies which earn Britain exports money. Like benefits for the workshy.