Time running out for researchers

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2007

David Howarth, MP for Cambridge and Lib Dem Trade and Industry spokesperson, has today warned that the Government is putting research at risk.

Mr. Howarth is urging the Department of Trade and Industry to assure research councils flexibility to carry over budgets at the end of next year. Research councils have always had this flexibility in the past but this year the Government has yet to decide whether to allow it. The research councils have warned universities that without this assurance they will be unable to make any grants between 1 April and 30 June 2007.

Mr. Howarth commented:

"The Government's dallying means that research councils may not be able to allocate any grants for the next three months. The Government must get a move on and give research councils the flexibility they need to ensure that important research can continue.

David visiting researchers in Cambridge

"Confusion in Whitehall will have very serious consequences for scientists across the country. The Government must end this uncertainty now."