PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(1 September 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of withdrawing UK Research and Innovation operational funding for international research facilities on UK operational standing within those international science infrastructure projects and the retention of UK-based scientific talent in frontier physical sciences.

Asked by:
Dr Scott Arthur (Labour)

UK Research and Innovation and the Science and Technology Facilities Council undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio. This considered factors including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to recreate if lost. Major international subscriptions are being fully protected, helping to maintain UK participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations. As part of the prioritisation process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, protect funding for grant funded postdoc researchers at 25/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected.

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