Unions condemn ‘science vandalism‘ with planned job cuts at research body

Activism / 11 November 2026 BDS Movement hails victory as Scottish-Korean oil firm ditches Palestine ‘pillage’ 11 November 2026 Green Energy / 11 November 2026 PM welcomes £12bn ‘vote of confidence’ in offshore wind 11 November 2026 Environment / 11 November 2026 Scottish government accused of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ approach to climate 11 November 2026 Wales / 11 November 2026 Reform backs member banned from speaking in Senedd for ‘white replacement’ claims 11 November 2026 Economy / 11 November 2026 Labour market ‘grinding to a halt,’ study suggests 11 November 2026 UNIONS are urging the government to pause planned job cuts at the organisation that directs research and innovation funding.

Two union leaders said they fear up to 750 posts could be lost at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which has launched a voluntary exit scheme.

Prospect senior deputy general secretary Sue Ferns said: “These cuts to UK scientific capacity are a tragedy for the science community in this country and a serious blow to the government’s ‘innovation nation’ agenda.

“That they are happening despite no economic impact assessment being undertaken is nothing short of extraordinary.”

She urged the government to step in to pause the cuts and assess the economic impact of this “science vandalism.”

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union industrial officer Lawrence Dunne said it has raised “serious concerns” about the lack of clarity for members and the “unacceptable, rushed timetable” for the voluntary exit scheme itself.

A UKRI spokesperson said: “We have opened a voluntary exit scheme but there is no headcount reduction target; the focus is on having the right skills in the right parts of the organisation.

“If redundancies become necessary they would follow thorough consultation, with redeployment and reskilling prioritised.”