CaMS supporter Mark Sewards MP seeks answers on funding for higher-education maths teaching

Mark Sewards MP has tabled a series of written parliamentary questions on behalf of CaMS. Sewards, a former maths teacher before entering Parliament, sought clarification on funding for mathematical sciences within the reformed Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG).

The SPG is UK government funding distributed by the Office for Students (OfS) to higher education providers, primarily focused on “high cost”, strategically important subjects. It is intended to ensure universities can invest in high-quality teaching, expand access for underrepresented groups, and fund facilities and buildings.

Until 2021-22, mathematical sciences were designated a strategic priority subject through the Strategic Priorities Grant. At this point, mathematics was de-prioritised and is not currently included in scope for SPG funding. However, funding remains in place for “mission-led” maths-adjacent courses, such as computing, engineering, and materials and technology, but not for pure mathematics courses.

From the academic year 2026-27, the SPG will be reformed so high-cost funding “can be more effectively targeted towards priority provision which supports future skills needs and the Industrial Strategy.

Crucially, the mathematical sciences are foundational to much of the technology critical to the IS-8 sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. For example, linear algebra and advanced calculus is essential to the formulation of algorithms that underpin artificial intelligence and large language models.

Securing increased funding for teaching maths courses through the SPG is essential to ensuring the Industrial Strategy succeeds and strengthens the pipeline of mathematical talent entering industry and academia.

In response to Sewards’ question on the allocation of 2026-27 funding for maths through the SPG, the Minister responded that “there has been no specific internal discussion within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)”.

“For this Academic Year 2025-26, more than two thirds of the £1.3 billion Strategic Priorities Grant budget allocated to providers will support the provision of high-cost subjects, for example medicine, dentistry; science, engineering and technology. DfE is reviewing the high-cost subject funding to ensure that this best aligns with the Government’s Growth Mission and is targeted effectively towards provision that supports the industrial strategy and future skills needs. DfE will issue guidance to the Office for Student (OfS) in due course setting out funding priorities for 2026/27.”

When asked what discussions the Science Secretary has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the role of the mathematical sciences within future SPG funding, the AI Minister said that “the mathematical sciences sector is key to delivering the Government’s mission”. However, he noted there have been no specific discussions on the role of mathematical sciences in the Office for Students’ Strategic Priorities Grant funding.

Mark tabled a follow-up question on designating maths a strategically important high-cost subject as part of the SPG. The Minister said that “the Government recognises mathematical sciences as a valuable subject in higher education”.