(1)UKRI must arrange for the Council listed in the first column of the following table to exercise such functions of UKRI in respect of the field of activity listed in the corresponding entry in the second column of the table as UKRI may determine.
| Council | Field of activity |
|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities Research Council | Arts and humanities |
| Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council | Biotechnology and biological sciences |
| Economic and Social Research Council | Social sciences |
| Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council | Engineering and physical sciences |
| Medical Research Council | Medicine and biomedicine aimed at improving human health |
| Natural Environment Research Council | Environmental and related sciences |
| Science and Technology Facilities Council | Astronomy, particle physics, space science, nuclear physics and provision and operation of research facilities in relation to any area of activity specified in this column |
(2)Arrangements under this section may, in particular, provide for the exercise by the Council concerned of UKRI’s functions under paragraph 8(1) and (2) of Schedule 9 in relation to relevant specialist employees.
(3)A “relevant specialist employee”, in relation to a Council, means—
(a)a researcher or scientist employed by UKRI to work in the Council’s field of activity (see the table in subsection (1)), or
(b)a person who has knowledge, experience or specialist skills which is or are relevant to the Council’s field of activity and is employed by UKRI to work in that field of activity.
(4)Arrangements under this section must require the Council concerned, when exercising any function to which the arrangements relate, to have regard to the desirability of—
(a)contributing (whether directly or indirectly) to economic growth, or an economic benefit, in the United Kingdom,
(b)advancing knowledge (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere and whether directly or indirectly) in, or in connection with, science, technology, humanities or new ideas, and
(c)improving quality of life (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere).
(5)The Secretary of State may by regulations—
(a)amend the first column of the table in subsection (1) in consequence of provision made by regulations under section 92;
(b)amend the second column of that table.
(6)Before making regulations under subsection (5), the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(7)UKRI must, if requested to do so by the Secretary of State, carry out such a consultation, on behalf of the Secretary of State, of such persons.
(8)In such a case, UKRI must carry out the consultation in accordance with such directions as the Secretary of State may give.