UK labs hit by cuts despite record science funding

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. UK labs hit by cuts despite record science fundingImage source, STFCImage caption, The Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire is one of the affected sitesByPallab ghoshScience CorrespondentPublished14 minutes agoProjects at some of the UK's most prestigious research labs will be scaled back following a review of government spending plans. Research that could be affected includes the hunt for new cancer treatments, the design of better batteries and the search for what the Universe is really made of. Funding for research into particle physics at Cern and astronomy projects is also affected, but the deep cuts initially feared have been averted.

The UK Research and Innovation Agency (UKRI) says it has to make savings of more than £160m over the next four years because costs for planned research have spiralled. The government has increased overall R&D spending to record levels, rising to £22. 6bn a year by 2029-30.

The Details

UKRI's share of that has risen from around £9bn to nearly £10bn over the same period. But UKRI's head, Prof Sir Ian Chapman, told News the savings were needed because spending forecasts showed they could no longer afford to pay for the research increases they had planned for up to 2030. "Our plan is to focus the UKRI investment where it makes the largest impact," he said.

As well as being judged on scientific impact, the funding priorities have also taken into account the eventual impact on driving economic growth. Priority areas include artificial intelligence, where UKRI will spend £1. 6bn, quantum technologies, which will receive around £1bn and £750m to build a national supercomputer.

"Overall, we will drive to be more entrepreneurial, to engage more with industry, to realize greater revenue and greater income into our program, which means there's less pressure on the public purse," Chapman said. Image source, STFCImage caption, Central Laser Facility in Oxfordshire - home to some of the most powerful lasers on Earth - will also be affected. Britain's national laboratories — the government-owned sites and expert teams that build and run the country's big scientific machines — face the deepest squeeze.

What Experts Say

The money for their scientific work is set to fall by well over half, though the overall budget for national labs and estates drops by less because a growing share is being swallowed by urgent repairs to ageing buildings. Sue Ferns of the Prospect Tade Union which represents scientific and technical staff at the labs facing cuts described the move as a "hammer blow to UK science". "It is the product of a political choice.

Public sector research facilities like those at Harwell, the Ryal Observatory Edinburgh, and Daresbury, now facing devastating cuts, act as catalysts to regional business ecosystems, and offer training and job opportunities to their local communities".

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.