New UK science body could be used as ‘cover for cronyism’

Advanced Research & Innovation Agency will be exempt from existing procurement rules for ‘maximum flexibility’, says government

A new £800m government science and defence research agency will be exempt from existing procurement rules, prompting warnings from Labour that it could be used as “cover for cronyism”.

Originally the brainchild of Dominic Cummings, the Advanced Research & Innovation Agency (Aria) will be more lightly regulated than a normal government body.

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