Leading science figures demand action on research cuts 

Leading figures and organisations across science have signed a letter to the Chancellor by Prospect demanding action on research funding ahead of Budget cuts in the Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear area of the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC). Prospect is the leading union for non-university scientists and represents members throughout STFC, the rest of UKRI and elsewhere in the economy.  

STFC is facing cuts to programmes including 30% on nuclear, particle physics and astronomy putting hundreds of science jobs at risk and threatening the future of world-leading UK science sites such as Harwell, the multidisciplinary hub at Daresbury Laboratory, Boulby Mine, Jodrell Bank observatory, and others.   

The letter warns that if the cuts go ahead they will cause “lasting and potentially irreparable damage to the UK’s science capability” and points to the troubling lack of economic or regional impact assessments. The Prime Minister also recently announced plans to redirect UKRI funding into place-based projects, which makes the lack of regional economic impact assessment even more difficult to justify. The letter calls for the Chancellor to use the Budget to provide the funding necessary to avert these cuts pending a full economic impact assessment, so that this issue can be reassessed in the next Spending Review.  

Sue Ferns OBE, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said: 

“The Chancellor and Prime Minister have set an admirable ambition to be an innovation nation but seem to have completely overlooked the catastrophic damage these proposed cuts will to our capability in this area.  

“These cuts were announced under the previous prime minister with no economic impact assessment and will be a clear barrier to growth, research capability, and our intellectual standing in the world which is already being questioned. 

“The breadth of support for our letter from Britain’s science community shows just how important this is. As well as seeking growth, the Budget is a clear chance to show that this country is still serious about leading the world in science.”