To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government plan to take to increase funding for university (a) research and (b) staff costs. (245809)

I have been asked to reply.

Funding for higher education has increased by 24 per cent. in real terms since 1997 and will have increased by some 30 per cent. by 2010, with higher education research funding set to rise to £1.9 billion by 2010-11 in addition to the funding that universities secure from research councils. Funding for staff and other costs are for universities to determine in the light of the overall level of resources available to them and the need to take sustainable decisions.