Lobby against UK science cuts

Today will see the UK Parliament play host to a number of influential scientists lobbying against proposed cuts to the UK’s science budget. Heading the opposition is the Science is Vital pressure group and the Campaign for Science and Engineering.

UK budget cuts will be announced October 20 and all government bodies have been told to expect cuts of around 25 per cent. Opposition to these cuts has been fierce and the science community has been particularly vociferous. The Science is Vital group led a 2,000 strong rally October 9 and has been tirelessly campaigning to prevent what they describe as “destructive levels of cuts to science funding in the UK.”

Other European and worldwide countries are currently increasing their research spending and with Britain making cuts – experts fear it could lead to not only a ‘brain drain’ but will relegate Britain from the ‘premier league’ in many areas of research. Imran Khan, director of Case (Campaign for Science & Engineering) has spoken out against proposed cuts: “There has been a clear and consistent message from academia and industry that a healthy science budget is critical to maintaining the UK’s competitiveness. If you’re looking to generate economic growth and rebalance the economy, damaging our research base just as our competitors are strengthening theirs is the worst possible way to go about it.”

Projects Magazine opposes science cuts

Projects has lent its official support to the Science is Vital group. William Davis, Managing director of Insight Publishers, explains the importance of the campaign: “Scientific research funding is at the heart of much of what we publish and is, indeed, vital to the success of European research on every level. The UK leads Europe in many key areas of research so any cuts will not only harm the country’s future development, but that of the whole of Europe, too.

“The European Commission has committed funds for research that lie outside the cuts being made by many national governments. Projects Magazine will be arguing that these national governments stop any proposed cuts and support the commission in its aims of meeting its set of grand challenges through investment into science and innovation.”

Speaking to Projects, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said; “Science cannot any longer be detached from the society that houses it. Its influence is too pervasive for that. Every area of policy today has a scientific aspect. Think of the big questions of our time – climate change, the spread of infectious diseases, water supply, biodiversity, terrorism. We will need to consult the scientists over every one.”

Science is Vital has gained a number of highly influential supporters from the worlds of entertainment, politics and television. Comedian Dara O’Briain comments: “If I wasn’t on tour I would be protesting in London with my fellow science geeks at Science is Vital – because it seems a good time to remind the Government that this country won’t keep winning Nobel prizes if they start to cut Science Funding.”

click here to sign the Projects petition opposing the cuts and we will add your voice to the growing list.

More details of the protest can be found at the Science is Vital website. The lobby takes place from 15:30-:16:30 today .

Published: Tuesday, 12th October 2010 by Adelle Kehoe