Politics
UK blue-sky physics funding cuts threaten involvement in CERN upgrades and other major projects
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UK blue-sky physics funding cuts threaten involvement in CERN upgrades and other major projects
The UK is preparing to withdraw from key international particle physics and astronomy projects as the government reallocates science funding toward applied research priorities.
- UK is preparing to cancel its contribution to a major upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider, one of several proposed cuts to particle physics and astronomy projects.
- In February 2026, the Science and Technology Facilities Council announced a "likely" 30% cut (£162 million) to its budget for particle physics and astronomy research.
- Science Minister Lord Vallance told MPs the funding crisis that prevented young physicists from securing grants was a "mistake," and the government is urgently working to release funding.
- UKRI head Sir Ian Chapman denied money has been diverted from curiosity-driven research, calling a strategy statement about a "major shift" in funding a "mis-statement."
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