Future of UK's largest telescope to be 'explored'

The government has said it is "exploring" long-term options for Jodrell Bank Observatory, home to the UK's largest telescope, after its future was put at risk.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told the House of Commons on Thursday that the facility had a "secure future" and he had recently met staff at the University of Manchester, which runs the project, to explore potential solutions.

In July, the funding body - UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - said the site in Cheshire would not be prioritised for further investment after its current agreement ends in March 2028.

But in September, Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged he would find a way to save the telescope.

The Lovell telescope, which has stood at the site near Knutsford since 1957, is the third largest of its kind in the world.

With a diameter of 250ft (76.2m), the instrument is part of a network of telescopes called e-Merlin across the UK, which have been pivotal in the country's study of distant galaxies and training future astronomers.

Addressing the Commons, Reynolds said: "The Prime Minister and I have been clear that Jodrell Bank has a secure future."

He said there had been a "science-based decision" to move from e-Merlin to the Square Kilometre Array, an intergovernmental project headquartered at Jodrell Bank, but largely built in Australia and South Africa.

He was responding to Green MP Hannah Spencer, who said the closure of telescope would put jobs at risk.

"Many of us went there on school trips as kids, and the Prime Minister assured us that his government will find a funding solution," the Gorton and Denton MP said.

"So will the Secretary of State explain how the government intends to honour this heartfelt commitment and secure Jodrell Bank's long-term future as an active sovereign scientific facility?"

Reynolds said he recognised the strength of feeling, adding: "It's important, given that we have a very significant research and development budget in the UK, that scientific decisions are made on the basis of the science.

"But that still doesn't mean there isn't a future for Jodrell Bank as an asset.

"That is consistent with making sure we're making science-based decisions on the prioritisation of that funding.

"I met with the University of Manchester just a few days ago about this, and the local MPs of the area have been incredibly supportive in finding a solution."

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