MPs urge Nerc not to press ahead with BAS merger

The Science and Technology Committee has published a report ahead of Nerc's council meeting tomorrow, at which 바카라사이트 final decision on 바카라사이트 merger will be taken, following a public consultation.

The decision was originally due in December, but widespread concern over 바카라사이트 proposal and Nerc's concerns about 바카라사이트 possible effects on staff morale prompted it to bring 바카라사이트 decision forward. It is expected to be publicly announced early next week.

Nerc has argued that 바카라사이트 merger would save money and facilitate greater scientific synergy and impact in an era in which climate change was causing polar and ocean science to merge.

But critics lamented 바카라사이트 loss of 바카라사이트 iconic British Antarctic Survey name and worried it could herald a downgrading of 바카라사이트 UK's commitment to maintaining a presence in 바카라사이트 South Atlantic.

The committee's report says it has received complaints that Nerc "has not provided an adequate evidence base to support its case for a merger, with 바카라사이트 absence of projected cost savings being particularly notable".

"In addition, Nerc does not appear to have given adequate consideration to 바카라사이트 British Antarctic Survey's geopolitical role," it adds.

Committee chair Andrew Miller said: "Given 바카라사이트 world-renowned and respected brand of 바카라사이트 British Antarctic Survey it should require 바카라사이트 strongest possible case to be made to merge it into a science institution that does not have 바카라사이트 same iconic status."

In a hearing earlier today, Nerc chief executive Duncan Wingham told 바카라사이트 committee that 바카라사이트 main driver for 바카라사이트 merger was increased scientific synergy, but added that it would save 바카라사이트 organisation around ?500,000 a year.

"That may not seem much, but we have been seeking those kinds of savings in many places...We can't not respond to 바카라사이트 circumstances we are in [but] it is hardly something we welcome."

Nerc's flat cash budget is expected to have declined by 11 per cent in real terms by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 current spending period.

David Willetts, minister for universities and science, told 바카라사이트 committee he was mindful of 바카라사이트 Haldane principle and was reluctant to interfere in 바카라사이트 way Nerc organised its science. He said he trusted Nerc's council to take 바카라사이트 final decision.

But he said 바카라사이트 research council was aware of its "dual mandate" to implement 바카라사이트 government's commitment to maintaining 바카라사이트 UK's "level of activity" in Antarctica, and said he had been assured that it was not under threat.

He said he was considering introducing a "discrete funding line" for Antarctic science within 바카라사이트 science budget to prevent future anxieties.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com