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This time last year the really big issue on all our minds was the anticipated announcement of the comprehensive spending review.
Horror stories about it, cuts in the science budget of 20%, 25% or 30% were in the rumour mill. Speaking on this stage against that background, Jocelyn Bell Burnell gave us three good pieces of advice - so good that they still hold true and I'm going to read those from the beginning now.
She said, first be passionate about the cause we are making it is about a vision for the future of our country not just a special interest argument for science. Second, never give up even if the outcome of the comprehensive spending review is what we fear rather than what we hope, keep speaking out for the case for science, there will be other years and other opportunities.
Third, stick together - we'll make a much stronger public case for science and engineering by speaking with one voice and highlighting the overall benefits rather than rushing to criticise the other areas of research
Well, by and large - we did speak with one voice and we did focus on the case for investment in science as a key force to derive renewed new economic growth. I am certain these factors contributed to the successful outcome for science by helping David Willetts and his colleagues make a convincing case to the Treasury.
Now, because I recognise that a flat settlement for science seems perhaps a little less miraculous than did on the morning of the 20th of October last year. We started to see the impact of inflation on new levels of funding and a lack of capital for major new investment but we would be foolish to forget that at a time when the UK is making police officers redundant and scrapping our only aircraft carrier and closing public libraries, that science has survived remarkably well in an incredibly tough environment.
And on Monday this week the chancellor announced new support for science 195 million investment in both Graphene research and supercomputing. An explicit recognition of the role science can play in economic growth. So I think all of us would like to thank you David as a community we owe a big vote of thanks to you and your team - so thank you.
But that doesn't mean we should forget Jocelyn's remaining message. Keep speaking out for the case for science - there will be other years and other opportunities. We know that public funds are under huge pressure and we're not looking for miracles now but if the government shares our view that research excellence can restore Britain's economic vibrancy. Why not make a firm commitment for the future for renewed investment to the science base? What a strong positive signal that would send out to our young scientists and engineers about their prospects here in the UK.