Committee publication · Correspondence · 22 April 2026
Correspondence from Dr Simon Williams, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham, re: Update based on Lord Vallance and Sir Ian Chapman written response dated 19 March in relation to scientific research funding, 9 April 2026
From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Inquiry: Scientific research funding
Summary
Dr Simon Williams from the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology writes to clarify apparent contradictions in Lord Vallance's 19 March ministerial response on particle physics funding. Williams provides evidence that postdoctoral researcher support has fallen 70% (from 58.33 to 19.5 FTE annually), contradicting the Minister's claim of no PPAN reductions, and notes significant impacts on early-career researcher recruitment and retention.
Key findings
- STFC consolidated grant feedback shows postdoctoral support in particle physics theory cut from 58.33 FTE per year to 19.5 FTE per year—a 70% reduction
- Lord Vallance's statement that "~20 particle physics theory post-doctoral researchers [are] funded by UKRI each year" reflects the new reduced baseline, not previous funding levels
- Minister's claim of "no reduction in PPAN post-doc numbers" appears inconsistent with funding letters showing substantial reductions across particle physics theory
- Cuts are already affecting recruitment and retention of early-career researchers across the community
- Astronomy community also experiencing sustained funding cuts alongside particle physics reductions
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Dr Simon Williams, Dame Chi Onwurah MP, Lord Vallance, Sir Ian Chapman, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, STFC, UKRI
Notable line
“… the statement that "there will be no reduction in PPAN post-doc numbers" is encouraging; however, it appears difficult to reconcile with the funding letters now issued …”
Key Quotes
“The consolidated grant feedback issued by STFC outlines a reduction in postdoctoral support from 58.33 FTE per year to 19.5 FTE per year, corresponding to a cut of approximately 70%.”
“… the statement that "there will be no reduction in PPAN post-doc numbers" is encouraging; however, it appears difficult to reconcile with the funding letters now issued, which confirm substantial reductions in postdoctoral support across particle physics theory …”
“As noted in correspondence from the 18th March, the scale of reductions being imple- mented across the community is significant and already affecting the recruitment and retention of early-career researchers.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗