UK Government Says Jodrell Bank Has 'Secure Future' After £2.8 Million Funding Cut

The UK government has vowed to save Jodrell Bank's Lovell telescope after a £2.8 million funding cut, with ministers exploring long-term options for the Cheshire observatory. EIN Presswire reported that the decision risks 28 jobs and could end scientific work by April 1, 2028, unless alternative funding is secured.

Reynolds Defends Jodrell Bank Funding Decision

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the Commons on Thursday that Jodrell Bank has a "secure future." He said he met with the University of Manchester, which runs the project, a few days ago and hopes to have more to say soon.

In July, UK Research and Innovation said the site will not be prioritised for further funding after its current agreement ends in March 2028. Unless an alternative source of funding is secured, all scientific work at the observatory and its telescope network are expected to end on April 1, 2028.

Reynolds said there has been a "science-based decision" to move from the e-Merlin telescope to the Square Kilometre Array, an intergovernmental project headquartered at Jodrell Bank but largely built in Australia and South Africa. He added: "It's important, given that we have a very significant R&D budget in the UK, that scientific decisions are made on the basis of the science."

Green MP Hannah Spencer, who represents Gorton and Denton, said the closure of the e-Merlin telescope will put jobs at risk. She said: "Many of us went there on school trips as kids, and the Prime Minister assured us that his Government will find a funding solution."

The Lovell telescope has stood in Cheshire since 1957 and is the world's third largest steerable radio telescope, with a diameter of 76.2 metres. It is part of the e-Merlin array, a network of telescopes up and down the country. The decision could have wider consequences for the nearly 3,000 scientists whose research relies on Jodrell Bank's facilities.

In September, Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged he would find a way to save the telescope.

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What Happens After March 2028

UKRI's current funding agreement with Jodrell Bank ends in March 2028. Without alternative funding, scientific work at the observatory and its telescope network are expected to end on April 1, 2028. Reynolds said he hopes to have more to say soon on finding a solution.