Astronomy and particle physics : report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Science and Technology
Date:
2011
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Astronomy and particle physics : report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    As a result of the 2010 Spending Review, science funding over the next four years will be standing still and there will be increased emphasis on research impacts, and national and strategic priorities. There is concern that fundamental and theoretical subjects such as astronomy and particle physics, which do not provide immediate economic returns, may now be vulnerable. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which funds much research into astronomy and particle physics, received a relatively good settlement. STFC funding for astronomy, however, sees a reduction in both its resource and capital budgets by the end of 5% over this period, although increases in its resource budget masks a large fall in the capital budget for particle physics. When put in a wider context the situation is worrying for both astronomy and particle physics. By 2014/15 spending in both of these areas will be around 50% lower than its 2005 level. The STFC and the astronomers gave us conflicting analyses. The STFC pointed to decisions taken in 2002 when the UK decided to join the European Southern Observatory by future spending reductions and withdrawal from northern hemisphere ground-based optical and infrared facilities. Others contended that the STFC’s strategy was not so clear cut, and that ESO accession did not justify all future spending reductions and withdrawals. While we accept that there was a stated long-term intention to withdraw from some subsequent PPARC and STFC policy documents. Unfortunately, this failure by STFC to communicate is chronic and typical and is the reason why its client communities have such a low opinion of it. We are concerned about the impact withdrawal from astronomical facilities will have on to some ground-based optical and infrared telescopes in the northern hemisphere, especially in light of the relatively small amount of money that would allow continuity. In scientists, and reap the future economic and social rewards, the STFC must ensure it invests in the full range of astronomical facilities. Reductions in funding on astronomy and particle physics over the next four years will determine whether the UK has a significant part to play in these fields for decades to come, and this fact must not be overlooked.
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