The Government has refused to intervene to protect Jodrell Bank from funding cuts, instead doubling down on its claim that the world-famous observatory is 'not closing'.
In a statement issued to the Manchester Evening News, a spokesperson from the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade (DBIST) said Jodrell Bank would continue to host scientific research and remain the headquarters of the observatory.
The response comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces ever-growing calls to step in and reverse the cuts facing the site. The M.E.N. asked Mr Burnham's team if he would personally intervene, following the concerns that were raised about the impact of the funding decision on Jodrell Bank's future.
Observatory's role in deep space research
As well as being used for important work in studying distant galaxies, it is the lead in the e-Merlin array, a network of telescopes up and down the country carrying out scientific research in deep space. Yet UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which provides funding, said that e-Merlin will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028. The annual grant to the facility is worth around £2.8m a year.
A government spokesperson told the MEN: “Jodrell Bank is not closing. It will continue to host a range of scientific work and research led by the University of Manchester, alongside serving as the headquarters for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory – a global partnership building the world's largest and most powerful radio telescope.
“UKRI’s decision to prioritise STFC spending has been made in response to rising cost pressures, and we are clear in our support for changes that protect world leading scientific research which is improving lives and advancing knowledge across the UK.”
Campaign and backlash
In July the MEN launched a major new campaign to save the scientific centre from closure, with a petition now having reached over 8,500 signatures. Standing since 1957, the much-loved Jodrell Bank is the largest telescope in the UK and the world's third largest steerable radio telescope.
The decision regarding Jodrell Bank was met with severe backlash, including an open letter to Mr Burnham. The letter, which described the action as 'foolish and short-sighted' was signed by major figures, including astronauts Tim Peake and Chris Hadfield, and leading scientists such as Professor Brian Cox and Professor Jim Al-Khalili.
Jodrell Bank has inspired generations of scientists and helped shape our understanding of the universe.
MP calls for reversal
Graham Stringer, Labour MP for Blackley and Middleton South, said the plans to end its research funding were a historic mistake and called on Mr Burnham to reverse the decision. In a strongly worded op-ed for the MEN, Mr Stringer said it was an ‘act of scientific vandalism laced with bigotry’.
He wrote: “Many of today’s scientists cite their visit to Jodrell Bank as an inspiration that has carried them through their careers. Children even if they don’t become scientists still are given a sense of wonder after a visit to the telescope.
“Every recent government has claimed that they want the United Kingdom to be a scientific superpower. How then has this government and its funding bodies come to such a perverse decision?”
Mr Stringer then turned his attention to the Prime Minister, pointing out that Mr Burnham wants to ‘close the north-south divide and reindustrialise the country’. He added: “I hope the Prime Minister went to Jodrell Bank as a schoolboy and was inspired. I’m sure he will now understand the symbolic and practical scientific importance of Jodrell Bank. He does not want to sour the start of his time in Number 10 with such a bad decision. He should reverse it.”
