Scientists face axe in physics research shake-up

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Scientists face axe in physics research shake-up

Plans to reorganise the funding of UK research into physics and astronomy will result in the loss of hundreds of public sector scientists and put at risk two key national research facilities, the scientists’ union Prospect has warned.



Prospect has called on the board of the newly created Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) to rethink plans to cut research programmes after the Council revealed its planned allocation of the 2008-11 science budget.

The cuts follow the comprehensive spending review which, despite providing a 13.1% increase in funding, left the STFC with £80m less than it had anticipated. As a result the Council is proposing to axe research programmes at its Daresbury and Rutherford Appleton laboratories, and the Astronomy Technology Centre with the loss of hundreds of jobs.

In a meeting with staff, STFC chief executive Keith Mason also revealed plans which could transfer the Daresbury site and the Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh out of the research organisation.

The union has reacted angrily, describing the Council’s reaction as secretive and designed to turn a disappointment into a crisis.

Prospect National Secretary Tony Bell said: "STFC received level funding and could have stood still had the board not decided to redirect funding streams. The Council’s decision to retain an additional £40m in ‘headroom’ funds to give it more flexibility has further exacerbated the situation.

"The cuts have been presented as necessary for the long-term future of STFC but staff feel that the process leading to the Council’s decisions was secretive, non-consultative and puts their science and sites at risk. They do not understand the Council’s decisions or its vision for the future."

The union will be seeking further meetings with the STFC board and other stakeholder bodies to urge it to revise planned programme of cuts.