By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-09-03 05:16:38 | Updated at 2026-09-03 06:14:55
1 hour ago
Andy Burnham has vowed to save an iconic British telescope from closure amid fears over continued funding.
The Prime Minister said he would attempt to prevent the closure of Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, saying there was "no way we can see its demise".
He recalled his own school trips to the Unesco World Heritage site, dominated by the Grade-I listed Lovell Telescope, the largest steerable dish radio telescope at the time of its opening.
In July, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) slashed the £2.8million annual budget, with all scientific observations to end on April 1 2028 unless new funds can be secured.
The MP for Congleton, Sarah Russell, told the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Questions the Jodrell Bank was "facing a significant problem in the medium term because of funding cuts".
The Prime Minister responded: "Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank, and there is no way that we can see its demise, and it won’t happen under my government.
"I know there are changes that have been made in relation to research funding, but Jodrell Bank is a heritage asset for the country, as well as a research asset."
Mrs Russell requested Mr Burnham and No 10 North hold a meeting with her and Macclesfield MP Tim Roca to discuss the issue.
Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire had its funding slashed with all scientific observations to end in 2028
PA
"There must be a way to save Jodrell Bank, and I give a commitment today, at this dispatch box, we will find it," the Makerfield MP said.
In August, around 200 public figures signed a letter urging Mr Burnham to intervene and save Jodrell Bank.
Among the signatories were Sir Brian May, the Queen guitarist who also holds a doctorate in astrophysics, Jarvis Cocker, Pulp frontman, and British astronauts Tim Peake and Commander Chris Hadfield.
Professor Brian Cox signed the letter and condemned the funding cuts on social media.
PICTURED: The then-Prince of Wales speaking with Sir Bernard Lovell in 2003 at Jodrell Bank Observatory
PA
"This is the result of many bad legacy decisions taken by UKRI hastily and without proper consultation, overseen by a government department that no longer exists," he said.
"Surely the new Andy Burnham government will want to take time to review this."
The dish radio has a diameter of 76.2 metres and is part of the e-Merlin array, a network of telescopes up and down the country that are operated by the University of Manchester from the site.
Jodrell Bank had a pioneering role in the development of radio astronomy. Its work in tracking spacecraft in the early space race, and its research into quasars, pulsars and gravitational lenses, is also part of its outstanding scientific heritage.
Around 200 public figures signed a letter urging Andy Burnham to keep the site open
PA
Senior international scientists have warned the UK would no longer be able to track hostile satellites without the Lovell Telescope.
Tony Beasley, the director of the US National Radio Astronomy Observatory, told The Times: "If Britain wants a sovereign capability to understand what is happening in space, this is infrastructure it already has.
"In terms of telescopes that British scientific and military organisations have access to, this is yours, and it is a remarkable facility."
A spokesperson for the University of Manchester said: "While these cuts to e-Merlin’s funding are significant, Jodrell Bank remains a major scientific, cultural and economic centre nationally and for the local area.
"We will be looking at the implications of this news carefully and working with our partners to secure the future of the Lovell telescope and e-Merlin."
