ajb Posted October 21, 2010 Posted October 21, 2010 Thankfully science has been recognised by the coalition government as being important to the UK economy. However, in reality the flat-cash settlement we will have over the next few years will still present a tough situation to UK based scientists. We also still have a crisis in university funding. The IOP report on the Comprehensive Spending Review can be found here. The BBC news report can be found here.
StringJunky Posted October 21, 2010 Posted October 21, 2010 I thought I'd add this email that you probably got as well AJB from one of the organisers: Dear Supporters, The Chancellor revealed the results of the government's Spending Review yesterday. The science research budget has been frozen. This means that we will be spending 10% less on research in 2014/15 than we are today. It could have been far, far worse. We’re encouraged that the government has listened to the economic arguments showing that science is vital. It is a difficult time for this country, but protecting science will result in a better future for the UK. There is no controlled experiment, a world in which the Science Is Vital campaign did not exist, a world where nobody raised their voices to defend UK science. And we know that some people in high places believed in the economic importance of science independently of us. But I think that we can all take at least some credit for this result. Our central message was powerful, and it seems to have been heard and heeded: 33,000 names on a signature delivered to Downing Street, gathered in only 3 weeks 2000+ (police estimate) scientists and their supporters demonstrating outside the Treasury 100s of articles, radio interviews and TV films in national and international media a 45-minute meeting with Science Minister David Willetts to discuss the issues a question raised in Prime Minister’s Questions a packed lobby in Parliament, including Prof. Adrian Smith, sent by Vince Cable to report back 110 MPs from all main parties signing our Early Day Motion All of you had a part to play in these achievements. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks, especially those who put in a little extra: the marshals and first-aiders at the rally, those of you who volunteered their time to design posters and artwork, to make placards, to nominate slogans, who donated the videos, photos and comments to enhance our website, or sent us links to important pieces of evidence for the economic case; who travelled from far away to attend the rally or the lobby; who donated money to the cause; who helped spread the word by emailing their departments or deans or student unions, or took the time to explain the issues to friends and neighbours who then went on to sign the petition or write to their MPs – the list goes on. It just goes to show how powerful people can be when many act as one. UK science is still not entirely safe. While we have made cuts to science, our competitors in the US and Germany are increasing their investment – there is still a risk of a brain drain. Reforms to university funding, severe pressure on capital projects and the detail of the allocation of the budget are all still to come. The UK science community must weather this. Science is Vital. As a campaign we’re going to keep on fighting for the interests of science through these tough times of cuts and change. With your permission we’ll occasionally email you with updates and requests for help. But for now on behalf of the entire Science Is Vital team: thank you once again for your support, and for helping to make a difference. With best wishes, Jenny Rohn
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