Chi Onwurah comments on the announcement that the Government will establish a National Science and Technology Council

Chi Onwurah MP, Labour's Shadow Science Minister, commenting on the announcement that the Government will establish a National Science and Technology Council, said:

"Ministers have cut the budget for science this year leaving researchers and programmes in the lurch, and medical research charities have been left to fend for themselves during the pandemic.

"More government structures cannot disguise the fact the Government has no long-term plan for UK science and is letting our country's researchers down.

"Boris Johnson blowing his own trumpet won't protect the UK's status as a science superpower - only a proper plan backed with long-term investment can do that."

Ends

Notes to Editors

Background

1. The Government only recently created a new science agency, ARIA, but said it didn't need a mission, and abandoned its Grand Challenges when it axed the Industrial Strategy.

1. Business dismay at decision to drop plan for UK industrial strategy | Financial Times (ft.com)

1. UK scientists warn of 'catastrophic' impact of funding cuts | Science policy | The Guardian