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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Future of physics 'under threat' | Future of physics 'under threat' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Leading physicists have told the BBC that long-term research is suffering because of a shortage of funding. | Leading physicists have told the BBC that long-term research is suffering because of a shortage of funding. |
| They were responding to a government review which concluded that physics in Britain was "strong" and had an excellent international reputation. | They were responding to a government review which concluded that physics in Britain was "strong" and had an excellent international reputation. |
| They say a 25% cut in research grants is threatening the future of the field and has prompted many promising young physicists to leave. | They say a 25% cut in research grants is threatening the future of the field and has prompted many promising young physicists to leave. |
| They also say many university physics departments are shrinking. | They also say many university physics departments are shrinking. |
| Some have had to halve in size because of a lack of money, the scientists say. | Some have had to halve in size because of a lack of money, the scientists say. |
| Deficit | Deficit |
| The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is the main agency that channels taxpayers' money into physics and astronomy research in the UK. | The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is the main agency that channels taxpayers' money into physics and astronomy research in the UK. |
| Last year, it was forced to reassess its priorities when it found its government settlement over the next three years was £80m short of what it needed to meet planned commitments. | Last year, it was forced to reassess its priorities when it found its government settlement over the next three years was £80m short of what it needed to meet planned commitments. |
| In October, Professor Bill Wakeham, of Southampton University, carried out a review of the status, funding, university provision, school education, careers and skill-supply of physics in Britain. | In October, Professor Bill Wakeham, of Southampton University, carried out a review of the status, funding, university provision, school education, careers and skill-supply of physics in Britain. |
| Overall, his findings were positive, but his report concluded that some "important challenges" had to be addressed. | Overall, his findings were positive, but his report concluded that some "important challenges" had to be addressed. |
| It recognised the considerable increase in science funding over recent years - rising from £1.776bn in 2001/02 to £3.235bn in 2006/07. | It recognised the considerable increase in science funding over recent years - rising from £1.776bn in 2001/02 to £3.235bn in 2006/07. |
| But it said that physics' share of this extra money was not as great as some areas because the government had made a strategic choice to push research funds towards health, the environment and energy. | But it said that physics' share of this extra money was not as great as some areas because the government had made a strategic choice to push research funds towards health, the environment and energy. |
| Areas that have lost money are those deemed to be a low priority. | Areas that have lost money are those deemed to be a low priority. |
| They include support for the Integral space telescope and the Veritas observatory which were designed to hunt for phenomena like black holes. | They include support for the Integral space telescope and the Veritas observatory which were designed to hunt for phenomena like black holes. |
| A planned upgrade to the array of radio telescopes centred on Jodrell Bank in Cheshire was also under threat. The STFC has since confirmed that it will still receive some funding, but will need to find additional money elsewhere. | A planned upgrade to the array of radio telescopes centred on Jodrell Bank in Cheshire was also under threat. The STFC has since confirmed that it will still receive some funding, but will need to find additional money elsewhere. |
| A spokesman for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills said: "Public funding for science is now at its highest level ever and will increase from £3.4bn per year this year to almost £4bn by 2011. | |
| "While detailed funding decisions are rightly a matter for individual research councils, over the past five years public funding for physics has increased from £460 to £616m." |