Total Government allocations to science and technology activities last year were £1.1 billion (€1.5 billion), a rise of £187.4 million, or 20.5 per cent, over 1999, according to the latest Forfβs science and technology budget.

The report, which provides details of expenditure by nine Government departments and 33 separate agencies, said the Exchequer component of the total spend amounted to £827.3 million (or 75 per cent), a £189.9 million rise on the 1999 level.

The contribution of the EU's Community Support Framework to public sector science and technology dropped slightly to £106 million in 2000. The balance is made up of non-Exchequer monies, mainly fees earned by State agencies for the performance of science and technology activities. It rose from £164 million in 1999 to £166.4 million in 2000.