Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what information his Department holds on the potential impact of funding cuts to the Science and Technology Facilities Council on the expected loss of scientific talent to other countries.

The Department holds advice from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) relating to the prioritisation decisions agreed by the UKRI Executive Committee and Board. UKRI and STFC undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio, considering factors including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to recreate if lost. As part of this process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, protect funding for grant funded postdoc researchers at 25/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected helping to sustain the UK's skills base, research expertise and long-term scientific capability.