New investment in R&D could provide accountants with more opportunities to support innovative clients

Amid repeated proclamations of giving individuals and businesses breathing room, the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget highlighted a range of key investments being made across the country.

While many were rattled off in the House of Commons itself, the Red Book revealed further information concerning the ways in which the UK’s R&D is set to be strengthened across many different regions.

For accountants, these investments could represent an incredible opportunity to help clients with R&D if they can understand how to make the most of R&D tax reliefs.

What is being proposed for regional R&D investment in the UK?

As was apparent from the most recent R&D statistics, innovation in the UK is currently pooled overwhelmingly in the South and East of England, with London alone attracting 30 per cent of the total R&D tax relief claimed in the UK.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is continuing his fascination with devolution by attempting to take a more egalitarian approach to the way that innovation is managed in the UK and the Chancellor’s plans to support R&D nationwide are a core part of this.

Many areas have been directly named in the Autumn Budget as having funds lined up for specific projects, but there is more to the announcement that should hold the interest of innovators and accountants alike.

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is set to “work with organisations in regions across the UK to identify additional R&D‑ intensive businesses in Industrial Strategy sectors which could act as host organisations on the endorsed funder pathway of the Global Talent visa route by spring 2027.”

These partnerships will be managed alongside any of the other benefits that come from region-specific funding announced in the Budget and signal a clear commitment to enhance the UK’s position as an R&D powerhouse.

How can accountants help clients make the most of regional R&D funding?

Having a clear sense of the importance and utility of R&D tax relief claims is the core way in which accountants can help clients with R&D.

For regional funding or specifically targeted investment, the core issue is making the most of the resources available.

It sounds straightforward, but ensuring that research is being conducted in places that are designed to enhance a specific sector could be beneficial, albeit potentially quite crowded, as competitors look to do the same.

As an accountant, reviewing your clients’ finances and supporting them to engage with work in different regions of the UK could be helpful if there are resources that exist outside of their local reach.

R&D tax reliefs can also assist with this, as the funding issued from them is not tied to the commercial success of the project and is directly aligned with the amount spent by the business on R&D.

This means that by incorporating all valid elements of qualifying expenditure, an innovative business can get the most out of its R&D tax relief claim.

To ensure this happens, it is best to seek the support of an R&D tax consultant.

Our team can assess the work conducted by your clients and incorporate the full scope of qualifying expenditure into the R&D tax relief claim.

Receiving external funding and support for R&D no longer automatically prevents accessing R&D tax relief claims as it once did, so we can advise on how to utilise new and existing funding pathways to supplement the benefits of R&D tax reliefs.

Reflecting external support may still be necessary as part of an R&D tax relief claim and we are adept at covering all relevant information and defending from enquiry any valid claims.

Through this combined approach to finances, it should be possible for accountants to support innovators in the next stage of their research by ensuring they have the funds to continue pursuing fresh advances.

How the Government’s investment in different regions ultimately shapes the UK’s R&D remains to be seen, but our team work across the country and with all sectors, meaning that we will be there to assist you and your clients in making the most of the support available.

Get in touch for expert R&D tax relief support that can keep your clients innovating.

Adam Bointon

Adam Bointon is a Technical Director specialising in R&D Tax Credits for SMEs in manufacturing and software sectors. With over 15 years’ experience, he works closely with businesses to identify qualifying R&D activities and prepare clear, compliant claims. He combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of economics and finance to support successful outcomes. Adam also contributes to industry webinars and CPD sessions, sharing insights on R&D tax relief and HMRC requirements.