Jodrell Bank Observatory: Funding
Debate between Baroness Brown of Silvertown and Baroness Ramsey of Wall Heath
Baroness Ramsey of Wall Heath (Lab)
Understandably, there is great public support for the UNESCO world heritage centre that is Jodrell Bank, which has 150,000 visitors a year. That will not change, and nor will the engagement and education programme on those decisions.
Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Lab)
My Lords, I simply ask why the Government have stopped funding a national programme in order to invest in a global programme. Should we not be prioritising national infrastructure?
Baroness Ramsey of Wall Heath (Lab)
My Lords, I would not characterise this as replacing a national programme with a global one. UKRI worked closely with the astronomy community to make difficult but evidence-based decisions and choices that maintain a strong, balanced and sustainable astronomy portfolio overall. The UK has invested in the SKAO for many years as part of a range of astronomy investments. As a world-leading observatory headquartered in the UK, it helps to maintain British leadership in radio astronomy and delivers significant benefits to UK science and industry.