In 2023, the R&D budget for planet and infrastructure in the UK stood at 0.14% of GDP. From 2024 to 2025, there is no change in the allocation, remaining at 0.14% of GDP. A slight increase is forecasted from 2026 onwards, with the budget rising to 0.15% by 2026 and holding steady through 2028. This indicates a year-on-year increase of approximately 7% from 2025 to 2026. Over the five-year period, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the budget is effectively minimal, indicating steady yet slow incremental growth.

Future trends to watch for:

The impact of potential policy changes and environmental commitments on budget allocations.
Technological advancements that might necessitate increased R&D funding.
Global economic conditions influencing public spending priorities on infrastructure and environment.