May 1, 2008 – 7:25 am
- Science cuts ‘hit UK reputation’ in BBC Science News, including `There is a recognition that some things could have been done differently and that the programme could have been communicated differently to the scientific community. I think the issue now is actually moving on from that and the STFC showing over the next couple of months it has the ability to address the issues raised in the report.’ from John Denham MP
- MPs berate UK government and funding agency over research cuts in Chemistry World, UK science looks ‘incompetent’ after funding fiasco from New Scientist, plus Report slams UK’s leading physics funding agency in Physics World - According to Phil Willis MP `It is very rare and rather sad that an individual or organization comes under such strong criticism in a report like this - So serious is the damage that appears to have been done to STFC that committee members took nearly four hours to agree on the wording’
- Top physicist is urged to quit over failings, flaws and secrets in The Times, plus Commentary including `Four months ago Britain enjoyed a priceless reputation, earned over many decades, as a world leader in pure physics. Not any more… An ill-judged merger of two physics research councils last year has led to a series of disastrous decisions since then by the hybrid quango that this merger has produced…The damage done to physics in the country of Newton and Rutherford is not irreparable, but it will take swift action, at a high level, to reverse.’
- MPs report blames Government and a quango for science funding crisis in Telegraph
- MPs criticise handling of research funds in Guardian
- Other reports focus on regional issues.. Report slams observatory job cut threat in The Scotsman, Government has left Daresbury `hanging in balance’ warn MPs in Liverpool Daily Post, Jodrell decision slammed in Manchester Evening News
- UK physics chief next for the chop in funding bloodbath? in the Register and Facing the Black Hole comment in The Engineer
- UK government slammed for underfunding research in Nature
