Memorandum submitted by the Met Office
(FC 86)
1. Science and scientific research is a
dynamic discipline rarely undertaken in isolation by any single
institute. The strongest progress is often made through continuing
collaboration and dialogue across a wide community. The UK is
a strong force in the international science arena and in some
areas, particularly weather forecasting and climate science, the
UK is recognised as truly world-leading.
2. The Met Office is a scientific organisation
employing around 400 of the world's leading experts in climate
science. It is arguably the Government's largest single science
research institution and provides objective and robust climate
advice to decision and policy makers across Government. Although
not funded through research council grants, we undertake and facilitate
significant research in the fields of weather forecasting and
climate science.
3. Results of research undertaken by NERC
and other institutes funded through the research councils is fed
into the Met Office and used here in furtherance of the science
and its direct application. It is this healthy community, in which
collaboration and openness is encouraged, that has ensured the
UK is able to take its place on the international science stage.
4. The future of the UK's science community
is of course dependant not only direct grants for specific research
but also on the pull-through of science and engineering skills
from universities through to research institutes and industry.
The Met Office, for example, relies on the supply of quality STEM
graduates. It is important therefore to consider spending holistically,
including those aspects that contribute to maintaining and developing
a healthy science community within the UK; one that is strong
enough to perpetuate our international reputation and capability
for collaboration.
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