Committee publication · Correspondence · 12 March 2026
Correspondence from Chair to Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear and CEO of UK Research and Innovation, re: Scientific research funding, 12 March 2026
From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Inquiry: Scientific research funding
Summary
Chair Dame Chi Onwurah writes to the Science Minister and UKRI CEO regarding severe financial pressures at the Science and Technology Facilities Council affecting particle physics, astronomy, and nuclear physics programmes. The committee is deeply concerned that widespread cuts were announced without adequate consultation, questions whether governance failures or deliberate deprioritisation occurred, and demands urgent answers on 12 specific points including audit processes, Treasury discussions, and mitigation for early-career researchers.
Key findings
- The committee examined STFC's financial crisis on 4 March 2026 and found widespread cuts announced before proper stakeholder consultation, describing this as 'wholly unacceptable' and a failure of DSIT, UKRI, and STFC leadership.
- Uncertainty exists whether the situation stems from irresponsible financial management, a conscious decision to override 2009 'Drayson partitions' protecting physics research, rushed reform consequences, or a combination thereof.
- The cuts risk damaging the UK's international scientific reputation; Professor Jon Butterworth warned that UK standing will be 'mud' if unresolved before end-of-month international meetings.
- The committee demands clarification on whether 2009 Drayson partitions remain policy, what audit failures occurred, and whether STFC took on 'overambitious projects' without ensuring affordability.
- Key unresolved questions include discussions with HM Treasury on reclassifying STFC subscriptions, whether PPAN funding should move to another research council, and whether the LHCb upgrade decision is final ahead of CERN Council meetings on 26 March and 27 April.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Dame Chi Onwurah, Lord Vallance, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, Professor Michele Dougherty, Professor Jon Butterworth, Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Research and Innovation, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Notable line
“… widespread cuts have been proposed before adequate consultation with those affected was undertaken.”
Key Quotes
“"we have international meetings coming up at the end of the month where our name is going to be mud if this is not sorted ou t".”
“What is clear is that, despite your assertions to the contrary in evidence to my committee and our counterparts in the House of Lords, widespread cuts have been proposed before adequate consultation with those affected was undertaken.”
“This is wholly unacceptable and represents a failure for which DSIT, UKRI and STFC leadership must bear responsibility, and act urgently to address.”
“What is needed now is swift and decisive action to win back the research community's trust, restore the UK's international reputation as a scientific research leader”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗