Committee publication · Correspondence · 29 June 2026
Letter from Dr Sarah Williams, Assistant Professor in High Energy Physics, University of Cambridge and Dr Simon Williams, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham relating to follow-up to oral evidence session on research infrastructure, 18 June 2026
Summary
Two Cambridge and Durham physicists request the PAC seek clarification on two statements made by STFC leadership during the 11 June 2026 research infrastructure evidence session. They argue that claims about flat budgets and protected postdoctoral numbers are inconsistent with published STFC allocations showing real-terms cuts and data indicating substantial reductions in PPAN-funded researcher positions, particularly in theoretical particle physics.
Key findings
- STFC published allocations show nominal cuts of £28–£7 million in 2027–30 relative to 2026–27; when inflation is factored in, flat cash constitutes a real-terms reduction.
- Erosion of 'Drayson partitions' that previously protected particle physics, astronomy, and nuclear physics (PPAN) science from cost pressures in international subscriptions and facility operations.
- STFC's commitment to preserve postdoctoral FTE numbers applies only to applicant-led grants, not the substantial project grant–funded researcher population subject to ongoing reprioritisation.
- Theoretical particle physics postdoctoral FTEs fell from 58 (2025–26) to 25 (current), a 40% reduction from steady-state levels and over 50% from 2025–26, contradicting assurances of protected numbers.
- Funding uncertainty has already disrupted international recruitment deadlines and created workforce instability across PPAN community, affecting approximately 220–260 research positions at risk by 2027.
Tone
CriticalTopics
research-fundingpublic-financeresearch-workforcehigher-education
Key actors
Dr Sarah Williams, Dr Simon Williams, Sir Ian Chapman, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, STFC, UKRI, Public Accounts Committee
Notable line
“… a reader of the transcript could reasonably conclude that STFC's budget is not falling and that no reductions in spending power are taking place.”
Key Quotes
“The misnomer is that the budget is being cut; the budget is flat.”
“"We have committed to keeping the FTE postdoc numbers at 2025-26 levels. It will be broadly consis- tent with the same number of postdocs we have now." 1 https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-research-councils-2026-4-stfc-budget-falling-in-real-terms- …”
“Relative to 2026–27, these correspond to cuts of £28 million, £25 million and £7 million respectively.”
“PPAN has already operated within a flat-cash environment for around a decade.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗