A number of leading UK physicists have expressed anger over what they say is an £80m shortfall in research funding.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) underestimated the cost of operating the UK's leading research facilities, BBC News has learned.

Many of top UK science departments could now be hit by cutbacks over the next three years, the scientists said.

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"Scientific research is not a luxury, it is a necessity," said Dr Brian Cox, of Manchester University's School of Physics and Astronomy.

"The government has done an enormous amount over the past 10 years to restore the UK's reputation as a scientific leader.

"It is short-sighted and damaging to throw this away through an ill-considered attack on fundamental science."

Funding void

The STFC describes itself as one of Europe's largest multi-disciplinary research organisations supporting scientists and engineers worldwide.

It was formed in April 2007 following the merger of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PParc).

The STFC is understood to have underestimated the construction and running costs of new prestige research facilities, such as the Diamond Synchrotron, near Oxford.

This resulted in its bid for funding from the government being too low, and jeopardised its existing research programme.

The management team did not realise their mistake until ministers had completed the Comprehensive Spending Review, when they asked for more money.

It is understood that officials within the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) were reluctant to make more funding available.

The STFC was told no extra money would be forthcoming and that they would have to find savings within the agreed budget.

It initially suggested that the least worst option was to close the synchrotron radiation source in Daresbury, near Manchester, earlier than planned.

But this option was vetoed by ministers after representations from Labour MPs in north-east England.

As a result, there are likely to be cuts the across the council's entire research programme, including particle physics, astronomy and laser physics.

Jobs 'at risk'

It is also feared that several hundred highly qualified scientists could lose their jobs.

One researcher told BBC News he feared the UK could end up with some of the finest facilities in the world, but without enough scientists and funding to fully exploit them.

Professor Michael Rowan-Robinson, president of the Royal Astronomical Society, said astronomy faced its worst financial settlement for decades, with many research programmes facing the axe.

"I have it from a very reliable source that we are looking at a 25% cut in grants over the next three years," he said.

"Programme cuts could even result in some existing research grants being cancelled. Both of these are truly awful for universities."

(BBC)

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