Experts alarmed as science secretary says UK must invest in “next generation of scientific facilities”The decision to pull funding from the Jodrell Bank Observatory has dealt “real damage” to the UK’s reputation as a destination for research and innovation at a time of fragile public trust in science, leading science figures have warned. Swathes of researchers have criticised UK Research and Innovation’s after it announced the move to cut nine physics and space projects including e-Merlin, a radio telescope project headquartered at Jodrell Bank. Last week, Research Professional News revealed the Science and Technology Facilities Council—which sits under UKRI—needs to save almost £700 million by 2029-30. “This package of cuts hits areas of research where the UK has a hard-won international reputation and creates damaging uncertainty in UK science as well as regional job losses.” “At a time when public trust in science is becoming more fragile, Jodrell Bank is playing a huge part in showing people—especially outside of London and the south-east—that science belongs to them,” she added.