Response to Science and Technology Facilities Council 2009-10 Budget

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has today, Wednesday, June 25, confirmed its 2009-10 science and technology programme.

Dr Robert Kirby-Harris, chief executive at the Institute of Physics, said, “Today’s announcement from STFC, declaring cut backs on facilities and delays to programmes is an ill omen that flies contrary to advice from the Wakeham Review on the health of physics at a time when a strong science base is crucial for economic recovery.

“While the current problems are a result of the unique structure of STFC and the effects of a falling pound, we need to see more committed action from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to protect all areas of science. We would like to see the government match its verbal commitment to science and technology with funding to maintain the UK’s scientific stature, at the very least. Given President Obama has significantly increased the US science budget and the big Asian economies are doing likewise, our strategy appears very short term and penny-pinching.

“Further threats to the amount of scientific research being undertaken next year by STFC raise alarm bells and there appears to be no end of bad news in sight for this particular research council.

“STFC runs facilities that underpin science/engineering/medical research and development: it also funds the kind of curiosity-driven research that inspires young minds and plays a big role in attracting more scientists through the pipeline. Today’s announcement undermines the government-orchestrated drive to increase the number of valuable science graduates in the UK. In fact, fresh on the heels of noise about a very healthily rewarded Royal Bank of Scotland Chief Executive, the over-riding message appears to still be ‘Forget science, go and make shed-loads of money in banking’. Nothing has changed.”