Politics
UK blue-sky physics funding cuts threaten involvement in CERN upgrades and other major projects
July 13, 2026 at 07:10 PM
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."