started · updated
UK cuts public funding for Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced that it will stop funding the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory after March 2028. The telescope, built in 1957 and part of the e‑Merlin network, currently receives an annual grant of about £2.8 million.
The funding withdrawal threatens to make the Lovell Telescope non‑operational for radio astronomy, could eliminate 28 direct jobs, and may affect up to 3,000 scientists who rely on its data. University of Manchester officials are seeking alternative finance from business, charity or other government sources.
The decision has drawn criticism from prominent figures. Physicist Brian Cox called the cuts "devastating and irreversible", while Institute of Physics president Paul Howarth and Greater Manchester MP Graham Stringer described them as a serious blow to UK science. A campaign launched by the Manchester Evening News has collected more than 1,000 signatures, and Jodrell Bank associate director Tim O'Brien expressed gratitude for public support.
Entities
Brian Cox · Graham Stringer · Jodrell Bank Observatory · Lovell Telescope · UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] UK Research and Innovation will cease public funding for the Lovell Telescope after March 2028. mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · uk.news.yahoo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The funding cut could make the Lovell Telescope inactive for radio astronomy after March 2028. mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · uk.news.yahoo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Brian Cox described the funding decision as “devastating and irreversible”. mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · uk.news.yahoo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The funding cut may lead to the loss of 28 jobs employed by the e‑Merlin grant.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Around 3,000 scientists could be affected by the loss of the Lovell Telescope's scientific work.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Manchester Evening News campaign has gathered over 1,000 signatures to save the Lovell Telescope. uk.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Lovell Telescope receives an annual grant of about £2.8 million. uk.news.yahoo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greater Manchester MP Graham Stringer expressed outrage and called for saving Jodrell Bank.