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scientists react to news of research council funding cuts

This follows an announcement by the DTI that funding to science research councils would be reduced by £68 million over the next three years.

Dr David Brown, CEO, The Institution of Chemical Engineers, said:

“These cuts in research funding are a serious blow for the UK economy. The UK has one of the most productive and cost effective science bases in the world – we should support and exploit this vital asset. If the Government wants to increase science and technology investment in our country, we should put more, not less, into the research that will draw multi-national investors.”

Dr Richard Wilson of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“This is a significant blow to the UK’s research base. Investment in science and engineering research does make important contributions to innovations that are of benefit to business and to society as a whole. These cuts are a victory for short termism over the long term interests of the UK. Only last November Tony Blair, the Prime Minister, declared that “science will be as important to our economic future as stability.” It is a shame that these words have been so quickly forgotten.”

Dr Peter Cotgreave, Director The Campaign for Science and Engineering, said:

“The overall amounts of money being cut from the Research Councils may only be small percentages of their total budgets, but cutting investment in research now is out of line with what the Government says it wants. We will not achieve the Chancellor and Prime Minister’s vision of a knowledge based economy by cutting research. If Trade Secretary Alistair Darling was as committed to science as Gordon Brown and Tony Blair claim to be, he would not be making these cuts.”

Professor Nigel Brown, BBSRC Director of Science and Technology, said:

“We are very disappointed and realise that this reduction will affect individual researchers. By acting quickly and decisively, we hope to reduce uncertainty for our research community, and we can begin a process of consolidation in anticipation of the future planned investment which will be vital if we are to maintain the UK’s position as a world leader in bioscience.”

John Smart, Deputy Chief Executive, Institution of Highways & Transportation, said:

“This is very disappointing news for the Science and Engineering professions. Research is the lifeblood of innovation, innovation maintains leadership in any field especially engineering. The Prime Minister in his speech to the Royal Society in Oxford last year, outlined the important role knowledge, innovation and creativity will play in the UK economy in the future. The IHT see this reduction in research funding as a negative step in contributing to those aspirations for the future.”

John Morton Chief Executive, Engineering and Technology Board, said:

“Skills shortages, concerns over climate change and increased business competition from developing economies, are challenges that will not be solved by a reduced investment in our science and engineering research base. If we are to become a knowledge economy, Government and industry need to focus investment in research and development. The EPSRC budget cut is bad news for UK plc.”

BBSRC Chief Executive Professor Julia Goodfellow, said:

“It is inevitable with changes of this size that frontline research will be affected. How deep the damage will be to the UK’s international competitiveness in bioscience depends on how long it takes us to return to our planned trajectory for growth.”

Dr Randal Richards, EPSRC’s Interim Chief Executive, said:

“This is disappointing following the recent publication of EPSRC’s Strategic Plan which seeks innovative ways to promote research and training of the highest quality in the UK. EPSRC will continue to make the case for sustained increases in science and engineering funding, in line with the Government’s Science and Innovation Investment Framework.”

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