These types of highly speculative projects are inherently risky, making them unappealing for profit-driven investors. That’s why it’s important for non-profit organizations and governments to fund them.
Scientific breakthroughs don’t happen in a vacuum. They are the product of dedicated research requiring years of consistent funding.
You say the UK has a budget of a trillion, but around 70% comes from consumer spending. As consumers have been hooked on debt and hit with annual increases in every indirect tax they can think of.
But I don’t think the 0.08% line item for scientific research is where I’d start.
Science is already deeply underfunded despite a disproportionately large impact on society in my opinion.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-backs-uk-rd-wi...
Do you think that the return on investment into science is really less than 4.5% (interest rate on gilts) per year?
> You say the UK has a budget of a trillion, but around 70% comes from consumer spending.
70% of government expenditure is consumer spending??? This statement is nonsensical.