Rachel Reeves has vowed to take an 'iron fist' to government waste (Image: Getty)

       Taxpayers are forking out ￡6billion on "nonsense" research projects despite a pledge to crack down on government waste, analysis shows.

       Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowed to squeeze out wasteful spending using an "iron fist" on Tuesday as the Treasury works on a sweeping spending review to be published next year.

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       Whitehall departments have each been tasked with finding 5% worth of savings so spending can focus on the Government's priorities.

       But a huge amount of public money is being spent on research projects. They include ￡200,000 on a study into the environmental impact of Star Wars, ￡1.7million on a study of literary decolonisation in Africa, almost ￡40,000 towards studying queer cinema and the LGBT+ movement in China and ￡240,000 on cultural entrepreneurship in vegan meat markets.

       The Taxpayers' Alliance analysis also shows the amount of money spent on such projects has rocketed by 25% over the last four years.

       READ MORE Rachel Reeves tax increase 'will cut services for dying children'

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       Campaigners are calling for Ms Reeves to take her "iron fist" to the Science Department's financial backing of certain research projects in academia.

       The Government quango, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has dished out ￡6bn in grants to universities this year alone, according to the Telegraph.

       Taxpayers' Alliance's investigations campaign manager, Joanna Marchong, said taxpayers will begin to question the value of UKRI and its research projects.

       She told the publication: "UKRI has received bigger budgets year on year in hopes of fuelling cutting-edge research and innovative technologies, but instead, they have wasted millions of pounds on nonsense projects."

       Ms Marchong added that if research budgets continue to expand, ministers must ensure they are allocated to effective projects and focus on "worthwhile project outcomes".

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       Rachel Reeves this week announced the launch of the Government's latest spending review (Image: Getty)

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       A spokesman for UKRI said: "From blue skies research to business-led innovation, UKRI’s dynamic portfolio of investments underpins the UK’s world-class research and innovation system.

       "The research we fund helps drive sustainable economic growth, creates high-quality jobs, and improves public services for people across the UK."

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       Powered by

       Keir Starmer warned taxpayers must not bear cost of 'failed tactic' of nationalisation

       63 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' mask just dropped in Budget giveaways that show she's an economic vandal

       43 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is about to shun the elephant in the room - voters shouldn't be fooled

       46 Comments

       Rachel Reeves caves in as pension review on hold after ￡25bn bill backlash

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers fresh blow to hospices and care homes after epic misjudgement

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer needs to wake up - he's missing one crucial truth about our farms

       55 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is keeping Britain stuck in a doom loop of low growth

       90 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' mask disintegrates as she shows exactly where she wants UK to be

       1012 Comments

       Why Rachel Reeves' Budget will fail to deliver on Labour Party's central promise

       23 Comments

       POLL: Is Rachel Reeves the worst Chancellor ever? Have your say

       726 Comments

       Rachel Reeves blasted over Brexit betrayal as she plots major 'reset' with EU

       1749 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' great escape - how Labour Chancellor could blunder way to Budget win

       22 Comments

       Tax experts warn 75k farmers to be hit by Reeves's raid as doubts cast on Labour's figures

       4 Comments

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       Comments

       Rachel Reeves is making yet another vital component of the economy even harder

       31 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are on a mission to make every statement meaningless

       148 Comments

       Building firm transforms lives with prisoner rehabilitation plan

       Comments

       Sports stadiums brace for Rachel Reeves' new tax bomb that could 'raise ticket prices'

       21 Comments

       One thing about Rachel Reeves' Labour Budget absolutely sickens me

       144 Comments

       Rachel Reeves doesn't have it in her to deliver vital culture change Britain needs

       30 Comments

       Keir Starmer warned taxpayers must not bear cost of 'failed tactic' of nationalisation

       63 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' mask just dropped in Budget giveaways that show she's an economic vandal

       43 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is about to shun the elephant in the room - voters shouldn't be fooled

       46 Comments

       Rachel Reeves caves in as pension review on hold after ￡25bn bill backlash

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers fresh blow to hospices and care homes after epic misjudgement

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer needs to wake up - he's missing one crucial truth about our farms

       55 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is keeping Britain stuck in a doom loop of low growth

       90 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' mask disintegrates as she shows exactly where she wants UK to be

       1012 Comments

       Why Rachel Reeves' Budget will fail to deliver on Labour Party's central promise

       23 Comments

       POLL: Is Rachel Reeves the worst Chancellor ever? Have your say

       726 Comments

       Rachel Reeves blasted over Brexit betrayal as she plots major 'reset' with EU

       1749 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' great escape - how Labour Chancellor could blunder way to Budget win

       22 Comments

       Tax experts warn 75k farmers to be hit by Reeves's raid as doubts cast on Labour's figures

       4 Comments

       Construction and Property Awards: Recognise those who keep Britain building

       Comments

       Rachel Reeves is making yet another vital component of the economy even harder

       31 Comments

       Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are on a mission to make every statement meaningless

       148 Comments

       Building firm transforms lives with prisoner rehabilitation plan

       Comments

       Sports stadiums brace for Rachel Reeves' new tax bomb that could 'raise ticket prices'

       21 Comments

       One thing about Rachel Reeves' Labour Budget absolutely sickens me

       144 Comments

       Rachel Reeves doesn't have it in her to deliver vital culture change Britain needs

       30 Comments

       Keir Starmer warned taxpayers must not bear cost of 'failed tactic' of nationalisation

       63 Comments

       Rachel Reeves' mask just dropped in Budget giveaways that show she's an economic vandal

       43 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is about to shun the elephant in the room - voters shouldn't be fooled

       46 Comments

       Rachel Reeves caves in as pension review on hold after ￡25bn bill backlash

       21 Comments

       Rachel Reeves delivers fresh blow to hospices and care homes after epic misjudgement

       119 Comments

       Keir Starmer needs to wake up - he's missing one crucial truth about our farms

       55 Comments

       Rachel Reeves is keeping Britain stuck in a doom loop of low growth

       90 Comments

       He added that UKRI invests in a diverse research and innovation portfolio, with decisions to fund research projects made via a rigorous peer review process by independent experts from across academia and business.

       Ms Reeves claimed on Tuesday that the previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers' money to go to waste on poor-value-for-money projects.

       She added: "We will not tolerate it. I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste."