Jodrell Bank Statement

Cheshire business and political leaders have urged the Business Secretary to reconsider the decision to end £2.8m of funding for Jodrell Bank Observatory, warning it would undermine research activity, skilled employment and future investment in the region.

Steve Purdham, Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board — representing 41,000 businesses — has written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds asking for the funding to be maintained for a further five years while alternative long‑term options are explored. He notes that Jodrell Bank is not simply a heritage site but an active part of the regional economy.

A second letter from Cheshire’s political leaders, led by Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, makes the same request. They highlight that while the financial amount is modest nationally, the strategic implications of withdrawing support are significant.

Cllr Gittins said the funding is essential to ensuring the Observatory’s continued operation and accessibility, and called for a temporary extension to allow time to identify sustainable future arrangements.

Steve Purdham added that losing the Observatory would weaken the region’s research capability, reduce employment opportunities and deter investment.

The funding forms part of the e‑Merlin National Radio Astronomy Facility operated by the University of Manchester. UKRI’s decision means scientific observations at Jodrell Bank are expected to end in April 2028, affecting around 3,000 researchers, 28 Observatory staff and wider investment linked to the site.

Located in Macclesfield, Jodrell Bank is owned and managed by the University of Manchester and has helped identify supermassive black holes, new galaxies and tracked spacecrafts. Jodrell Bank receives 150,000 visitors per year, 21,000 of whom are school pupils on an educational visit.