Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed STFC funding reductions on the long-term scientific capabilities of Jodrell Bank Observatory, including its contribution to international research collaborations and STEM outreach activities.

I met with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Executive Chair, Professor Michele Dougherty, in August to discuss the council’s strategic programmes and infrastructure investments, and have engaged with the UKRI Chief Executive, Sir Ian Chapman, on several occasions. UK Research and Innovation and the STFC undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio. Jodrell Bank will continue to host world-leading scientific research led by the University of Manchester, alongside serving as the headquarters for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory. Jodrell Bank also remains an important centre for science engagement and outreach, with no impact on the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement, which welcomes thousands of visitors, including school pupils, each year, helping to inspire the next generation.