Jodrell Bank telescope network funding to be withdrawn by 2028
The government plans to withdraw funding for the Jodrell Bank telescope network by 2028, threatening its future operations.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The future of the UK's largest radio telescope, the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire, is under threat after the government confirmed it will withdraw funding by 2028. The decision, made by the UK Research and Innovation Agency (UKRI), will cut support for the observatory and its network of seven linked telescopes, known as e-Merlin. The move comes despite a record increase in the overall science budget.
Jodrell Bank has been a cornerstone of radio astronomy for nearly 70 years. The Lovell telescope, built in the 1950s, pioneered the field and has been involved in major discoveries, from tracking the space race and moon landings to studying black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Constant upgrades have kept it at the cutting edge. The network of telescopes is used by around 3,000 scientists across the UK and Europe for projects ranging from planet formation to galaxy evolution.
The observatory also plays a significant public role, attracting 125,000 visitors each year, many of them schoolchildren. Staff and scientists have described the funding withdrawal as devastating, warning it could reduce the facility to a museum piece and end active research. The e-Merlin project, which links radio telescopes across the UK, is expected to cease if alternative private funding cannot be found.
UKRI said it is focusing investment on areas that will deliver the greatest value, including the next generation of radio telescopes. The government has stated that Jodrell Bank will continue to host scientific and public events, but staff fear it will lose its place in the research hierarchy. The observatory's leaders have said they will challenge the decision.
The cuts have drawn widespread criticism. Astronaut Tim Peake, physicist Brian Cox, Queen guitarist Brian May, composer Hannah Peel, comedian Dara O Briain, and guitarist Johnny Marr are among those who have written to the government urging a reversal. Visitors to the site have also expressed dismay, calling the loss of funding indefensible and urging local leaders to intervene.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC One |
|---|---|---|
| The government plans to withdraw funding for Jodrell Bank by 2028. | ||
| Jodrell Bank leaders will challenge the decision. | · | |
| The e-Merlin project, a UK-wide radio telescope network, will end if alternative private funding cannot be found. | · | |
| The government attributed the funding cut to rising cost pressures and difficult choices. | · | |
| UKRI has made cuts to several other telescope and particle physics projects. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC report focuses on the historical significance and scientific achievements of Jodrell Bank, framing the funding cut as a major loss to UK science. It uses an emotional tone, quoting a scientist calling it 'national self-harm', and highlights the facility's role in inspiring young people. The report also notes that cuts have been made to other telescope and particle physics projects, and that Jodrell Bank leaders will challenge the decision.
- “This is devastating news and to me, it feels like a real act of national self-harm because This is an amazing facility for 70 years it has been delivering Spectacular science”
- “the telescope was built in the 1950s and it pioneered the field of radio astronomy Making many important scientific breakthroughs and constant upgrades mean that it's still at the cutting edge”
5 News emphasises the public and celebrity backlash against the funding withdrawal, using strong language from visitors and famous supporters. The tone is more emotional and critical of the government, with quotes calling the decision 'indefensible' and 'beyond belief'. The report also provides specific financial details (loss of £2.8 million a year) and explains the impact on the e-Merlin project, while noting the government's justification of rising cost pressures.
- “Why on earth we should think about losing something like this I think is beyond belief.”
- “pulling the funding would poke out some of the clearest eyes on the sky”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.