Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with the Institute of Physics and Royal Astronomical Society on the planned changes to the budget of the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next four years, including £38.6 billion allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) within UKRI is maintaining its budget from £835 million in 2025/26 to £842 million in 2029/30, and is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its portfolio in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics (PPAN). The impacts of different modelled scenarios across the broad and diverse range of STFC-funded facilities and programmes will be considered alongside feedback from the sector when taking final decisions.

DSIT maintains regular engagement with a broad range of sector organisations, and has engaged with the Institute of Physics and the Royal Astronomical Society on this particular issue. DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its specific investment decisions are informed by meaningful engagement with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability, research institutions and international standing.