Your article (UK ‘could lose generation of scientists’ with cuts to projects and research facilities, 6 February) is right to highlight the serious consequences of proposed 30% funding cuts on the next generation of physics and astronomy researchers. The proposals also risk a generational destruction of the country’s ability to produce skilled graduates, retain specialist knowledge, and support physical science in industrial and educational settings.
This comes against a backdrop of wider threats to university finances, from rising costs to declining international student numbers. An estimated one in four UK physics departments are already at risk of closure, and recent cuts and delays to Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) grants have further depleted finances and will result in the loss of some highly skilled technical staff.
Fundamental physics research drives technological innovation, from medical imaging to data processing, and trains the next generation in advanced analytical skills that transfer across technical fields. Far from being a prudent rebalancing, these cuts will cause uncontrolled and irreversible damage to an area in which the UK has genuine international leadership.
Dr Phil Bull
Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics
Prof Chris Clarkson
Queen Mary University of London
Ian Sample describes well the terrifying cuts being imposed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and STFC on particle physics (and also astronomy and nuclear physics). UKRI has stated that the solution is to “do fewer things better”, which overlooks that in particle physics the UK already does fewer things than countries such as Germany, France and Italy.
How does UKRI reward doing “fewer things better”? First, by imposing cuts averaging 30%, which will be impossible without decimating world-leading science. On top of that, UKRI has decided to cut funding to support a planned upgrade to its Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment at Cern, for which £49.4m had been allocated and £5m has already been spent. Without UK funding, the international upgrade project – which all other major partner countries have now pledged to support – will collapse.
At the Innovation for Growth summit last year, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology said: “We are already world-leading in basic curiosity-led science, and we are determined that that should continue.” The UK’s hard-earned leadership in projects such as LHCb is being thrown away to pay for problems created elsewhere in UKRI.
Tim Gershon
University of Warwick; LHCb spokesperson-elect
Vincenzo Vagnoni
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare; LHCb spokesperson
Ian Sample’s article rightly highlights young researchers fearing for their careers in the wake of the government’s cuts to physics, and it is deeply worrying for those who care about UK science.
I had the privilege of working with hundreds of early-career scientists as former chief executive of the National Nuclear Laboratory, and their passion and skills are exactly what this country needs. The young scientists studying physics doctorates today are the people who will be making breakthroughs in key technologies in 10 years’ time. Some of them will take their skills in analysis and data to vital sectors such as AI, digital and health.
At the Institute of Physics, we’re hearing every day from people who are now fearing for their jobs and despairing of a future in the UK. Some are considering moving abroad to China or Europe.
These cuts cannot be the right path for a nation that aims to be a science superpower. We would be letting down innovators and harming our economy, society and future.
Prof Paul Howarth
Institute of Physics, London
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