Aidan Warner

@aidanwarner.bsky.social

312 Followers 657 Following

communications at @wellcometrust.bsky.social

Commenting on the appointment of Liz Kendall as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, John-Arne Røttingen, CEO of Wellcome, said: "The role of Secretary of State for Science is essential to the success of the government's aims. British science plays a critical role in advancing human health, driving economic growth, strengthening the NHS, and achieving net zero targets. "We have a shared goal of making the United Kingdom the partner of choice for international scientific collaboration. We look forward to working closely with Liz Kendall to ensure the research sector receives the support it needs to place science and innovation at the heart of the British economy. “I would like to thank Peter Kyle for his collaborative approach. I wish him the best in his role as Business Secretary and I am sure he will take with him his understanding of the crucial role that life sciences play in the UK."
The Times opinion: "The Wellcome Trust’s argument goes further. It would be silly to pretend we aren’t competing globally, but to the extent that we succeed it’s because we persuade people to work with us. This isn’t helped by continually boasting about how amazing we are. “At best, this irritates prospective partners, and at worst, it prevents the UK negotiating research agreements,” they said. They offered an alternative phrasing for UK science: “The global partner of choice for R&D.” You don’t need to be a wordsmith of Johnson’s calibre to realise that won’t catch on. Equally, it’s clearly time for a reset. If nothing else, for a phrase that supposedly speaks to our national identity this vainglorious boasting feels a little desperate. Most of all, it’s not terribly British."
Daily Mail story: Deadly 'heat dome' to sizzle Britain: Weather phenomenon set to bring 47C temperatures to Europe will also bake the UK - triggering Glastonbury health alert By MARK DUELL Published: 07:59, 27 June 2025 | Updated: 17:33, 27 June 2025 Britain will be gripped by a 36C heatwave from today bringing a 'rise in deaths' as a blowtorch 'heat dome' developing over Europe begins to impact the UK's weather. An amber heat health alert was activated at midday today ahead of what could be the hottest June day on record and the highest temperature in nearly three years. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alert will last until Tuesday at 6pm and covers London , the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England.
John-Arne Røttingen, chief executive of Wellcome, the UK's largest non-governmental funder of research, said: “The previous government planned to reach £22bn a year of R&D spending last year, then pushed it back. Today's review pushes that aim back further to 2030. This is a reduction in ambition at a time when the UK desperately needs the economic growth that investing in science brings. “The squeeze on the health research budget in particular risks limiting our ability to find new treatments and innovation in the NHS. Britain has a strength in life sciences and medicine that it should be leaning into, to benefit patients and the economy. “Meanwhile, a consequence of the disappointing decision to cut overseas aid is that the science it funds, tackling some of the world’s biggest health threats, will be halved by the end of the decade."
New pope's brother mimics making fun of him as a child - 'You're going to be the pope, ha ha ha'
"Terrible to find and get to, no signage. The tree was great and now it's gone. A waste of time driving over for a few mounds of dirt now. Sorry to those who like it but not for me. Not even sure why it's a unesco site anymore. It'd be nice if better signs and explanation of the area. Also why didn't someone make a car Park in front of the view, there's nothing so you have to drive by it a few times as you're on an A road with no pulling over potential. There is a car park half a mile on a neighbouring hill with no signage you need to know the area. Met some angry tourist that couldn't find it in that car park. Council needs to get their act together."