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Unfortunately the UKRI/ STFC continues to push its their “nothing to see here” message in its latest update: https://www.ukri.org/publications/what-stfc-is-investing-in/factsheet-jodrell-bank-e-merlin-and-ukri-funding/
Tim Roca MP’s social media post that Denis highlighted above chimes with that.
I do not see this as a positive message from the MP. It attempts to put a positive spin on the STFC announcements. But there is nothing new. STFC funding for e-Merlin, of which the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank is a critical component, will cease in April 2028.
University of Manchester note to staff: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=34224
To help put this crass and shortsighted decision by UKRI into some perspective, the stated savings are £2.8 million per year. Three years after the closure, the country will have saved enough to pay for the new door for the House of Lords.
The UoM has a donation facility to support Jodrell Bank, reachable from the link in Jeremy’s post.
There has been quite a bit of activity there, with 278 pages listing donations when I went there a few minutes ago.
For context: subsidising the bars and restaurants at Parliament cost ~£6M a year.
Strangely enough, when I worked irregular and deeply unsocial hours at work no restaurants or bars were made available. Management suggested a packed lunch.
FT editorial published yesterday (2026/08/03) was supportive of rescue.
Attachments:
Good to know that this great country has it’s priorities right: Trafalgar Flag Saved…!!! A snip at £700k.
Mike.
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