NERC funding for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
8 April 2012
NERC is aware of media reports suggesting that NERC's British Antarctic Survey is facing serious cuts in its funding and that as a result its ability to deliver its important mission is under threat.
These reports are misinformed.
NERC is providing BAS with a flat cash settlement through to 2015, ie. BAS will receive the same level of funding, £42m per annum, that it received in 2011. At a time when the public sector as a whole is facing the need to make significant economies this is a generous settlement and recognises the value that NERC and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) place on BAS.
It is true to say that NERC does have concerns that continuing pressures on its funding, and the impact of external factors such as the price of fuel, may cause problems for BAS in maintaining the logistics it depends upon in order to deliver its science. It has been discussing these concerns with both BIS and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and is looking at ways of ensuring that BAS can continue to play its important role in polar science. These discussions have been very positive.
More information:
Judy Parker, tel: 07867 553053
Further information
NERC Press Office
Natural Environment Research Council
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon, SN2 1EU
Tel: 01793 411561
Mob: 07917 557215
Press release: 04/12
External links
Press links
Recent press news
- New Director for the British Antarctic Survey
- Plans to strengthen UK-Indian collaboration in Earth sciences and environmental research
- CryoSat-2 mission reveals major Arctic sea-ice loss
- UK and USA collaborate in airborne climate science projects
- New capital investments for NERC
- Innovations in soil science will grow the solutions to global food security
- New Year Honours
- Professor Seymour Laxon
- Antarctic lake mission called off
- New genetics project could help save the ash tree