The UK's world-leading science facilities, including the Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source in Oxfordshire, are facing cuts of up to 20% as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) seeks to save at least £162m by 2029-30. Scientists warn that the cuts could lead to the closure of some national facilities, causing 'serious damage' to the country's scientific capability.
The STFC has asked managers to find substantial savings after cost overruns driven by soaring electricity and staff costs, as well as high foreign exchange rates for international collaborations like Cern. Diamond and ISIS are proposing to cut between 10% and 20% of their annual spend to help meet the target. The STFC aims to make most savings internally, but some cuts are falling on research grants.
Professor Brian Cox, the physicist and TV presenter, described the cuts as the 'destruction of the future'. Tom Grinyer, chief executive of the Institute of Physics, urged the government to 'properly think through any reduction' or risk 'doing serious damage to the UK's scientific capability and international attractiveness'. He added that short-term decisions could have consequences felt for decades.
The Diamond Light Source, which produces beams of light 10 billion times brighter than the sun, is facing savings of about 20%, with the planned Diamond-II upgrade expected to be hit. Professor Mark Thomson, former STFC executive chair, had called Diamond-II crucial for cementing the UK's place as a science superpower. Meanwhile, the ISIS facility, which uses neutrons and muons to study materials, has been running at 80% capacity for two years and has lost 10% of its staff.
Dr Lucy Clark, chair of the UK Neutron Scattering Group, warned that losing specific instruments would mean losing capability for whole sections of the research community. Dr Andrew McCluskey of the University of Bristol, who uses both facilities, questioned what would happen in the future if beamlines are closed and a needed technique is unavailable. Professor John Womersley, a former STFC chief executive, expressed concern over the potential impact on the UK's research landscape.
