The UK government is being forced to defend its funding levels for physics. Research grants are expected to be cut by at least 25% despite a budget increase of 13.6% over three years for the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which awards physics funding.

Documents obtained through the freedom of information act by a group of concerned physicists show that the STFC warned the government in advance that such cuts would mean fewer grants and reduced operation of key facilities.

Giving evidence to an inquiry on 21 January, Ian Diamond, head of Research Councils UK, the umbrella group for the country's research-funding councils, said the STFC would not be the only council affected by the budget changes. “I suspect there will be reductions in success rates [for research applications] across the board,” he said.