That is the message contained in a new report from the scientists’ union Prospect, which asks Who’s looking after British science?
The union warns that while the government publicises its £10 billion investment in commercial science, behind the headlines science for the national good is fast disappearing.
This month the Silsoe Research Institute, which specialised in agri-engineering, closes its doors, while April will see the Hannah Research Institute, which specialised in human nutrition including breast cancer research, shut for good.
Further cuts will follow the recent announcement that four of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology’s research sites are to be axed, while the Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research is to slash 40 posts.
Despite an overall loss of a third of staff engaged in research and development in government since 1994-95, the report provides a snapshot of the high quality research undertaken by public sector scientists and demonstrates that there is much to be proud of.
This is in the face of an accelerated programme of reviews and cutbacks – a shocking 660 posts in public science laboratories have been lost since the year 2000 – despite an inescapable need in today’s society for government to make scientifically informed decisions.
Research scientist Nigel Titchen, president of Prospect’s science, engineering and technology group, said: "We are calling for urgent political action to stop this schizophrenic and damaging approach to science policy – on one hand heralding massive boosts in science spending while on the other axing world-class scientific facilities in the public sector.
"Scientific expertise cannot be turned off and on at will. Yet the current chopping and changing of research priorities according to the fashion of the moment places the UK at a real risk of being unable to respond when the next BSE, foot and mouth or major crisis occurs.
"Our research indicates that once these facilities close, very few of the staff find alternative employment in scientific research. It seems madness that the research councils are being forced to axe scientific expertise, while, at the same time, Gordon Brown issues public commitments to address the skills shortage in the UK science and engineering base."
He said the union feared that the consultation over the creation of a Large Facilities Research Council announced in Wednesday’s budget would presage further cuts in physical sciences funding.
The Prospect report addresses four key questions:
- Why do we need publicly funded science?
- Is the government investing enough?
- Why can’t this work be done by universities?
- Who is looking after the nation’s science?
Prospect members working in public sector laboratories will be on hand to describe how the cuts have impacted on their work.
Prior to that they will gather on College Gardens besides the Houses of Parliament from 10am for picture opportunities with a four-metre high map of the UK showing the location and status of public sector research institutes.