Labour scraps UK’s planned national academy for mathematics

The UK government has quietly shelved plans to create a national mathematics academy, withdrawing the £6 million in funding that had been on offer to support its establishment.

Plans to launch the body – akin to the Royal Society or the Royal Academy of Engineering – were first announced in the autumn statement in 2023 and the previous Conservative government had started an open competition in May for partners to bid for money to help build it.

This closed in June and no decisions were made before the country held a general election in July. New Labour ministers have now decided to scrap the idea without awarding any of the funding.

“The government recognises the essential, valuable contributions of the mathematical sciences in science, engineering, innovation and growth in the UK and will explore how best to provide support and promote mathematics without supporting the creation of a new national academy focused on mathematical sciences,” says a notice posted on the government’s website that informed readers the initiative had been withdrawn.

Ministers had previously identified the need for an organisation – to be known as the National Academy of Mathematical Sciences – to help support plans to upskill the country’s workforce and grow the economy.

It built on recommendations included in Sir Paul Nurse’s report on the UK’s research landscape and was seen as a way of bringing together mathematical scientists in a coherent body and fostering greater ties with industry and government.

The body was also going to be tasked with developing strategies to boost maths skills and qualifications after a flatlining in interest in taking the subject at degree level over the past decade.

Jens Marklof, president of the London Mathematical Society and a spokesperson for the Campaign for the Mathematical Sciences, said the decision was “very disappointing”.

“Funding for the academy could be a huge driver of economic growth by improving the flow of mathematical analysis, cutting-edge research and technological innovation into policymaking,” said Professor Marklof, professor of mathematical physics at the University of Bristol.

“The government’s announcement pledges to explore other ways to promote and support mathematics, so we hope to engage with them on this as soon as possible.”

A spokesman for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said that the government “wants to better support activity across the UK mathematical sciences sector in ways that best deliver for taxpayers and without the time and expense required to support the set-up of a new organisation”.

“Substantive action rather than an additional academy represents the most effective way forward to ensure maths supports our missions,” he added.

“We recognise the sector’s vast contribution to the study and promotion of mathematical sciences, from advising government and business to sharing expertise that underpins the innovation and scientific discovery that helps our country’s economy advance.”

tom.williams@timeshighereducation.com