Scientists to hold cuts protest

A decision on job cuts could be made by the Spring

Scientists will protest at the House of Commons on Wednesday over plans to shut four global warming research centres.

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology laboratories have been earmarked for closure by parent company the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc).

A third of the centre's 600 staff could lose their jobs at sites at Winfrith in Dorset, Oxford, Banchory in Scotland and Monk's Wood in Cambridgeshire.

The council has proposed the closures to boost efficiency.

But the scientists' union, Prospect, warned such action would limit the centre's ability to contribute evidence to the debate on ecological issues.

'Quality research'

Tony Bell, Prospect's national secretary, said: "We are challenging Nerc's insistence that the closures are vital to repair a budget deficit of over £1m, and have written to the science minister, Lord Sainsbury, to highlight an independent report that estimates the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology only needs an extra £1.4m to achieve stability."

The job cuts at the centre - which offers independent advice on a range of environmental issues, including climate change - would affect researchers and technical and administrative staff.

Four remaining sites - in Bangor, Edinburgh, Lancaster and Wallingford - will become the focus of the centre's work following the closures.

Its administrative headquarters will move from Swindon to Wallingford, Oxfordshire if the plans go ahead.

Nerc insists the restructuring would enable it "to continue to deliver high quality research and environmental advice".