Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Astronomy and Space Science: Funding 2026-07-01

Wednesday 1 July 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Olly Glover raised concerns about 162 million savings imposed on STFC by 2030, impacting research infrastructure and jobs.
  • The Minister confirmed that Harwell campus hosts over 1 billion in world-leading research infrastructure and that STFC's core funding is maintained.
  • Graham Stringer questioned the efficacy of mission-driven research policy, to which the Minister responded with support for significant investment in both mission-driven and curiosity-driven research.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Science & Technology
Context

Olly Glover raises concerns about funding cuts to the Science and Technology Facilities Council which could impact Harwell campus, home to £1 billion of world-leading research infrastructure.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to maintain levels of funding for astronomy and space science. Despite increased R&D spending, the need for £162 million savings by 2030 imposed on STFC risks jobs and critical research equipment, undermining global science leadership. Does he share these concerns and what steps will be taken to protect scientific jobs and facilities?

Answer from Ian Murray

Harwell campus hosts over £1 billion of world-leading research infrastructure. Concerns have been raised about the need for STFC savings by 2030. However, no final decisions on budget changes are being made and STFC's core funding is maintained. UKRI understands cost pressures but commits to protecting scientific jobs and facilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific £162 million savings target and potential impact on research equipment was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Olly Glover Lib Dem Didcot and Wantage
Science & Technology
Context

Concerns about the need for £162 million of savings by 2030 imposed on STFC, which could impact Harwell campus.

Question

What steps will he take to protect scientific jobs and facilities from the proposed budget cuts?

Answer from Ian Murray

Funding for STFC has not been cut. UKRI will maintain STFC's core budget over the spending review period, understanding cost pressures from inflation and exchange rates.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific £162 million savings target was not directly addressed; only general commitments to maintaining funding were given.

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Q3 Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South
Science & Technology
Context

Concerns about the impact of abolishing PPARC on particle physics and astronomy research.

Question

Does the Minister agree that mission-driven research policy is a mistake given most practical applications come from fundamental blue-skies questions?

Answer from Ian Murray

We disagree. £86 billion for R&D, including astronomy and space science, with £14.5 billion for curiosity-driven research because significant investment in science leads to stronger growth.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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