Jodrell Bank Observatory has housed the UK's largest telescope for nearly 70 years and despite its age, continuous upgrades have kept the Lovell telescope at the cutting edge of astronomical research.
In 1966 it received the first images transmitted from the surface of the Moon, later played a covert role during the Cold War by providing a four-minute warning of a potential nuclear attack, and has since helped scientists study distant galaxies, black holes, quasars, pulsars and gravitational lenses.
However, thanks to decisions made by the Labour Government its funding has been cut and all scientific observations at Jodrell are expected to cease on the 1 April 2028.
The Government have claimed that they have put record funding into research and development and yet the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which funds many particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics projects, has been told by UKRI to find £162 million in savings by 2030.
As a direct result the Royal Astronomical Society and the Institute of Physics identified that a quarter of university physics departments are at risk of closure. Moreover, facing what many have called the worst funding cuts in a generation, confidence among the community has collapsed. 80% are now searching for jobs abroad and just 8% of early career researchers would now recommend the UK for science. That is a catastrophic legacy for this Government.
The Government needs to find £2.8 million to ensure the future of Jodrell Bank, a mere drop in the ocean when you consider they are spending £3.7 billion a year for asylum accommodation and support, £13 billion in foreign aid and £333 billion on welfare.
This decision is a reckless act of self-harm. We are damaging our excellent science reputation with some ill-thought through decisions. We are world leading in science training and research - to throw that away is foolhardy. The new Prime Minister now has the opportunity to halt the damage to our science base, I sincerely hope he takes that opportunity.
