Committee publication · Estimate memoranda · 14 May 2026
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Main Estimates Memoranda 2026-27
Summary
DSIT's Main Estimate for 2026-27 seeks parliamentary approval for £917.8 million in resource spending and £15.2 billion in capital spending, a 35.9% and 5.0% increase respectively from the prior year. Key increases fund digital infrastructure scaling, AI investment, life sciences manufacturing, and quantum technology, with particular emphasis on government digital transformation and broadband rollout to underserved areas.
Key findings
- Resource DEL increased £242.3m (+35.9%) driven by £117.2m for Government Digital Service scaling and £165.9m programme budget increases
- Capital DEL increased £722.9m (+5.0%) with major allocations to life sciences (£241.7m), quantum technology (£223.5m), and broadband (£161.0m)
- DSIT will spend up to £14.1 billion on R&D in 2026-27, contributing to £86 billion public R&D funding across the Spending Review period
- Administration costs rose £76.7m to £410.7m, primarily reflecting Matrix shared services reform (£25m increase) and ALB restructuring
- Four major projects exiting GMPP in April 2026: Met Office Supercomputing (AMBER), Matrix Transformation (AMBER), SRN (AMBER), and GOV.UK One Login (AMBER)
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), HM Treasury, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), UK Space Agency (UKSA), Building Digital UK (BDUK), Ofcom, Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Notable line
“Spend up to £14.1 billion on Research and Development in 2026-27, contributing to £86 billion of public R&D funding across the Spending Review period …”
Key Quotes
“Harnessing and accelerating science and technology to drive economic growth, raise living standards, and make life more affordable across the UK.”
“There is a net increase in RDEL of £242.3 million in the amount sought in the Main Estimate for 2026-27, compared with the budget agreed as part of the Supplementary Estimate 2025-26.”
“£165.9m increase in Programme budgets, mainly resulting from HMT providing an increase in Government Digital Service budgets of £117.2m at the Spending Review.”
“£241.7m increase in Office for Life Sciences budgets reflecting an ambition to deliver on existing commitments, including those set out in the Life Sciences Sector Plan.”
“£223.5m increase in Office for Quantum budgets due to increased investment in quantum technology as part of the DSIT-led Quantum Missions Accelerator Programme.”
“… subsequent merged entity). The programme achieved its overarching objectives of delivering 4G coverage to 95% of UK landmass, 280,000 premises and 16,000km of roads over 12 months ahead of the programme deadline of the end of 2025 …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗