Govt urged to act to retain scientists

British physicists and chemists could go abroad in search of work because of a lack of government funding, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Its Hybrid Cars and Shooting Stars report claims there is an £800m funding shortfall for the Science and Technologies Facilities Council.

The TUC says the Government should make up this funding to prevent a skills crisis in physics and chemistry.

Cutbacks are already taking place and this could threaten the future UK economy, the TUC concluded.

General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said: "The Government needs to make up the £80m shortfall or many world-beating science projects may close and their scientists leave to work elsewhere."

The report also claimed more needs to be done to attract more women into science and to retain students' interest.

A report from the House of Commons' Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills committee has echoed these concerns, suggesting the future of science in the UK is under threat because of inept budgeting and government interference.