Today scientists have lined up to condemn the government's proposals to cut public funds for conducting researches. They have said that these ideas are "depressing".
Vince Cable, business secretary, has recently demanded that scientists conduct more researches and build links with industry. His speech on science and research has been seen by many scientists as predicting major cuts of 25% in some important research areas. He considers that research, science and innovation are obligatory for the economic growth of the countries’ future but still budget cuts are to be implemented.
He said the "lazy, traditional way to make spending cuts is to shave a bit of everything: salami slicing. This produces less for less: shrinkage of quantity and quality – I have no intention of going there".
He proposed to strengthen such areas as regenerative medicine, plastic electronics, fuel cells, plastic electronics, composite materials and other areas which are developed in the UK. He says that these areas are vital to be funded in future. Business secretary has also pointed out the importance of international cooperation. Although this may cause placing a cap on immigration "universities do need people to come and go ".
Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, said that science was an area in which the UK was strong: "Other nations, including the US, are raising their expenditure at the same time as our government plans to cut ours. This will make the UK less attractive to mobile talent. And it risks sending a signal to young people that the UK is no longer a country that aspires to scientific leadership."
Imran Khan, the director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, noticed in his essay that it is depressing that funding of one of the strongest scientific areas may be significantly cut. He added: "The government has yet to demonstrate that they have either a vision or a plan for how to make the most of the extraordinary scientific legacy they have inherited."
Cable supports the idea of blue-skies research, however Bob May, the former government chief scientific adviser and president of the Royal Society, is against rationing funding calling it "just plain stupid".
However, Richard Barker, director general of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, supported some major aspects of the speech made by Vince Cable, namely the necessity to introduce international cooperation and links with industry. "The life sciences represent one of Britain's best hopes for turning excellent research into economic growth."
