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My Lords, we recognise Jodrell Bank’s historic and continuing importance to UK science. Science and Technology Facilities Council—STFC—funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network remains in place until March 2028 but will not continue beyond the current agreement, following an evidence-based prioritisation process in response to rising cost pressures. We firmly support decisions that protect world-leading scientific research and ensure the long-term sustainability of the UK’s research portfolio. This is not a withdrawal from radio astronomy. The UK is investing £327 million in the Square Kilometre Array observatory to 2030, headquartered at Jodrell Bank.
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My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Since I first tabled the Question in July, I have been struck by the amount of public support there has been for Jodrell Bank, which is an iconic symbol of our contribution not just to radio astronomy but to world-class science. I am heartened by reports that the Prime Minister wants to find a way to preserve Jodrell Bank—which is, after all, on the doorstep of No. 10 North—but respected bodies such as the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of Physics have expressed great concerns about the extent of potentially devastating cuts to international partnerships, projects and UK astronomy that will do great damage. Is it true that the STFC has to find a cut of £162 million? Is that figure correct? Finally, does my noble friend agree that public support for science is vital if we are to utilise our science and technology expertise for economic growth and that projects such as this are part of a vital ecosystem that we cannot afford to put at risk?
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I recognise the strong public support for Jodrell Bank. It is not closing and will remain a vital UK science asset. As part of the STFC’s prioritisation exercise, to put the council on a sustainable footing, UKRI has protected discovery-led research in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics, including the grant for post-doctoral researchers, which ensures that the UK leadership in those disciplines can be sustained in a more focused way.
My noble friend mentioned a figure of around £160 million. That is indeed the case by 2029-30, but UKRI is providing £135 million of transitional support between now and then. On the third point, I agree.
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My Lords, I declare my interest in UK astrophysics, which I support through the Hintze Centre for Astrophysical Surveys. Embedded in this decision is the prioritisation of the SKA over e-MERLIN. What worries me is that there is no public data on why the SKA has been prioritised over e-MERLIN. Can the Minister please supply that data? I underscore that both are important.
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UKRI and the STFC made a strategic decision to focus resources on the next generation of radio astronomy capability. That decision was taken as part of an evidence-informed process and prioritisation exercise across our research portfolio.
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My Lords, on these Benches we too welcome the statement made in the other place by the Prime Minister. However, the details of how that support will be provided are not clear at this time, and the industry is concerned. Physics-powered business generated over £303 billion in GVA in 2023 and supports 2.6 million jobs, with over half those jobs outside the south-east. Does the Minister agree that protecting facilities such as this is not simply a science policy question but essential to UK economic and regional growth? What assessment has been made of the wider economic contribution?
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I assure the noble Earl that the Government have put a record £86 billion into research and development between this year and 2029-30, with £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI, supporting curiosity-driven research in universities through to business innovation and commercialisation, including the creation of many jobs.
On jobs, the SKAO will return £225 million of foreign direct investment and £280 million of additional UK economic value. We continue to invest significantly in the north of England, including over £5 billion over the previous spending review and £7.4 billion over the current one, running to 2029-30.
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My Lords, when we heard the Prime Minister say on 1 September that Jodrell Bank was safe, I am sure that many people breathed a sigh of relief. But as we saw, the Written Answer from the Government on 7 September said that Jodrell Bank would remain as a heritage and education centre, with alternative funding sources. I just want to be clear: when the Prime Minister says it is safe, is he really saying that it is not safe as a government-funded scientific research centre and more that it will be kept as some tourist theme park?
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I repeat that Jodrell Bank is not closing, and nor is scientific research on it closing. UKRI is focusing resources on the future with the SKAO and its global HQ at Jodrell, investing over £300 million from 2021 to 2030. Jodrell Bank, including the Lovell telescope, which is owned and operated by the University of Manchester, is exploring alternative funding arrangements for delivering on that. Finally, on that point, I emphasise that the SKAO will have a vastly more powerful and broader science range than e-MERLIN when it becomes fully operational.
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My Lords, I draw attention to my registered interests and the fact that I received my physics degree at the University of Manchester, partly facilitated at Jodrell Bank. Can the Minister give an assurance that these changes will affect neither the teaching capacity associated with Jodrell Bank nor the use of the inspirational sky dome there, which is an essential part of the UNESCO world heritage site designation?
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Understandably, there is great public support for the UNESCO world heritage centre that is Jodrell Bank, which has 150,000 visitors a year. That will not change, and nor will the engagement and education programme on those decisions.
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My Lords, I simply ask why the Government have stopped funding a national programme in order to invest in a global programme. Should we not be prioritising national infrastructure?
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My Lords, I would not characterise this as replacing a national programme with a global one. UKRI worked closely with the astronomy community to make difficult but evidence-based decisions and choices that maintain a strong, balanced and sustainable astronomy portfolio overall. The UK has invested in the SKAO for many years as part of a range of astronomy investments. As a world-leading observatory headquartered in the UK, it helps to maintain British leadership in radio astronomy and delivers significant benefits to UK science and industry.
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My Lords, I declare the interest that Jodrell Bank is in my diocese, and we are rightly proud of the work done there, not least in releasing young scientists. What principles are His Majesty’s Government using in reviewing these projects, particularly in the communication of those reviews, in order that long-term stability might be prioritised?
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On communications, I think it has been recognised that communication can always be better and improved, and there is certainly a commitment from the Government to deliver that. I am so sorry—I know I should not say this—but I have momentarily forgotten the beginning of the right reverend Prelate’s question.
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It was about the principles used to review the decision.
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The principles are using an evidence-based approach and a prioritisation programme to look to the future, not only to our excellent and important heritage in our world-leading role in radio astronomy.
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When these cuts are finally made, how many jobs will be lost and how many people will no longer be able to get grants or contracts?
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The global headquarters of the SKAO, which will be based in Jodrell Bank, will account for about 200 jobs. My understanding is that Jodrell Bank, including the Lovell telescope, which is owned by the University of Manchester, is exploring alternative funding arrangements. We do not have details of any particular job changes at this moment.