More than one in 10 scientists claim to have been pressurised by a commercial financial backer to "tailor" their research conclusions, according to a new survey. It paints a gloomy picture of a highly skilled, professional sector which feels demoralised and undervalued by the public.

It reveals that pay has emerged as an important issue, while many are tempted to quit because of worries about funding and lack of career progression.

The survey was carried out by the Association of University Teachers and Prospect - unions representing staff working in the higher education sector, government, the NHS and charitable trusts - which claimed its findings represented "an alternative skills strategy" to a long-awaited government white paper on skills published yesterday.

Many of the proposals in the white paper are based on those in a paper published two years ago. But in a move which recognises the need for "higher level" technical skills, the Department for Education and Skills has announced new funding (£40m over two years, to be matched by employers) to finance pilots to support vocational training leading to Level 3 qualifications (equivalent to two A-levels).

As part of its drive to help the 15 million adults who lack basic skills in numeracy - and 5 million in literacy - and to end the culture of the "dead-end job", an expanded national employer training programme will also offer free tuition in the workplace to the equivalent of five or more GCSEs (Level 2 qualifications).http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/mar/23/businessofresearch.science