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Science and Discovery Centres
14 January 2026
Lead MP
Steve Witherden
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Lab
Responding Minister
Kanishka Narayan
Tags
Climate
Word Count: 12539
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Steve Witherden raised concerns about science and discovery centres in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Witherden called for looking at funding SDCs moving forward, ensuring public funding commitment to climate challenges, and suggesting a timetable for that support as part of his asks to the Minister.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Steve Witherden expressed deep personal connections to the Centre for Alternative Technology in his constituency. He highlighted its growth from a founding member's involvement in agricultural economics to a centre that now welcomes learners of all ages, businesses, and local authorities, emphasizing its role in combating climate and biodiversity crises. He noted that SDCs reach over 5.2 million schoolchildren annually and provide inclusive community engagement, essential STEM skills development, and cutting-edge scientific research. Witherden also mentioned the UK's serious STEM skills shortage costing £1.5 billion a year and the centres' role in building public understanding of new technologies.
Andrew Ranger
Lab
Wrexham
Congratulates Steve Witherden on securing the debate and highlights the importance of science discovery centres in reaching disadvantaged groups. He agrees that it is time for the Government to recognise these SDCs.
Ely and East Cambridgeshire
Encourages curiosity and engagement in STEM subjects from an early age. Highlights the importance of science centres in engaging young people with real-world problems such as house building, energy, transport, and green technologies.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Law thanked Witherden for giving time for interventions and mentioned the four science centres in Scotland. He suggested a timetable for public funding to support these centres, including the Eden Project.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Onwurah congratulated Witherden on securing the debate and expressed her inspiration by the Centre for Life in Newcastle, which supports young people from various backgrounds. Supports the points made by Steve Witherden and provides information on parliamentary questions answered regarding coordinated support from various departments.
Derek Twigg
Lab
Widnes and Halewood
Praised the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes for its role in STEM education and highlighted the centre's importance in inspiring young people from disadvantaged areas to engage with science and technology.
Chambers
Lab
Wigan
Agreed with the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire and emphasised the importance of science centres in inspiring children to solve current global challenges, including climate change and health issues.
Winchester
Congratulates the lead MP on securing the debate and emphasises the importance of Winchester Science Centre to his constituency, reflecting on how visits to science centres as a child ignited his love for science.
James Davies
Con
Winchester
Talked about his personal experience of being inspired by a visit to a planetarium as a child and the role science centres play in inspiring future generations.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Discusses her personal experience with science education and the importance of hands-on learning. Emphasises the need for SDCs to have a stable departmental home within government.
Sullivan
Lab
Asked whether the Government will allow UKRI to distribute funds to science centres.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Robinson congratulated Witherden on leading the debate and highlighted Northern Ireland’s only SDC, the Odyssey, in his constituency. He also credited the Labour Government for bringing forward such investments.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The hon. Gentleman supports the request for a meeting with the Minister, highlighting the importance of science centres in Northern Ireland, such as W5 and the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Reflects on his childhood experiences at the Centre for Life in Newcastle upon Tyne and underscores the value of science centres in fostering scientific curiosity among young people.
Julia Lopez
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Appreciates the extensive network of SDCs and highlights their importance in generating income through admissions, partnerships, and commercial activity. Mentions the Eden Project as a successful example of an independent science centre.
Kanishka Narayan
Con
Responded that historically, UKRI has funded specific programmes and encouraged eligible centres to apply for relevant funding.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Commended the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire on introducing the debate and praised the CAT science centre's work, noting its long-standing contributions to education and innovation.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
The Look Out discovery centre played a defining role in sparking curiosity in science for many young people, including those who have since entered STEM-based careers. The centre welcomes more than 5.2 million visitors annually. Shared his connection with the Look Out centre and mentioned an incident involving a Segway in Bracknell forest, highlighting the importance of these centres.
Steve Witherden
Con
Warrington South
Thanked all speakers for their contributions and highlighted the importance of science centres in driving the green industrial revolution.
Government Response
Kanishka Narayan
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government Response
Thanked the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr for initiating this important debate on science and discovery centres. Praised their distinct stages in people's lives from childhood to professional work, and expressed pride in Welsh enthusiasm for science and technology being at the heart of the debate. Commited to close cross-Government working right across DCMS, DSIT and any other Departments to ensure long-term sustainability of science centres.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.