Some researchers have told us that the funding application success rate fell from 30% in 2004 to 21% in 2007. That means a drop of 8.9 percentage points, a net reduction. These figures clearly illustrate the situation of many researchers.
Researchers are asking that the success rate of applications be restored to 25% because it has really dropped. They're not asking that it be restored to 30%, but at least to 25%. They're asking that there be a reinvestment because research in certain fields deserves to be pursued and researchers currently cannot continue.
I visited a number of small research centres, and you often see that small teams are conducting research on a shoestring.