On Thursday 4th September 2025, Science leaders, MPs, and policy-makers gathered in the House of Commons to champion the UK’s network of science and discovery centres and to issue a clear warning: without urgent government support, the country risks losing one of its most powerful drivers of skills, inclusion and scientific literacy.
The roundtable, convened by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) and sponsored by Dr Ben Spencer MP, Shadow Minister for Science, showcased the transformative impact of science and discovery centres in every corner of the UK. From inspiring children towards space careers to building public trust in climate and health research, these centres reach millions annually including communities that are traditionally marginalised and under-represented in science and technology careers .
Celebrating impact, exposing risks
Speakers pointed to powerful evidence of impact:
- 30,000 space sector vacancies addressed through science and discovery centre-led careers inspiration, as highlighted by Dr Paul Bate, CEO, UK Space Agency.
- Nationwide sustainability education delivered by Glasgow Science Centre’s Energy Transition programme.
- Equity in action, with We The Curious offering free entry for 13,000 people annually and leading pioneering public–research collaborations.
- Economic return, with Belfast’s W5 showing an £8.47 benefit for every £1 of public funding.
But alongside success stories came stark warnings. The Millennium Centres, built 25 years ago, face urgent capital repair needs. Without upgrades, centres risk becoming uninsurable - a crisis that cannot be solved through ticket sales or charity margins. Unlike museums or theatres, science and discovery centres are ineligible for existing cultural infrastructure funds, leaving them stranded between departments.
Three clear asks:
Launching the Science Centres for our Future campaign, ASDC CEO Shaaron Leverment set out three policy recommendations:
- Recognition – formally include SDCs in the UK’s scientific and cultural ecosystem.
- Immediate investment – £19.5m public funding, match-funded by centres, to tackle urgent repairs.
- A renewal fund – £12m per year for five years, co-funded with centres, to secure long-term STEM engagement.
Cross-party support builds momentum
Parliamentarians across the House backed the call. Dr Ben Spencer MP stressed the need to invest in scientific literacy over decades, not five-year cycles. Dame Chi Onwurah MP described science centres as “part of Britain’s cultural patrimony” alongside stately homes and heritage institutions. Lord Willetts, former Science Minister, urged departments to unlock small, year-end capital underspends for “oven-ready” centre projects that could deliver transformative impact.
A national asset at risk
Stakeholders from the Royal Society, UCL’s ASPIRES project, and the British Science Association reinforced the evidence that without recognition and infrastructure support, decades of progress could be lost. And that formal recognition of the value of science engagement is needed, safeguarding the critical role this network is so well positioned to play in their communities: opening up STEM pathways and opportunities for all.
Next steps
ASDC is urging MPs, Peers, and stakeholders to sign the Open Letter and press Ministers to act.
"This is about equality of funding for like-for-like organisations. This specific section of our membership continues to fall through the cracks between Education, Culture and Science - always passed from one to the other when funding is required - with no government department taking responsibility or championing them.
Given the recent Spending Review set out plans to invest more than £86bn in science and technology (and much of this in capital) by the end of the decade, we think that this relatively modest investment in the science and discovery centre sector would deliver an outsized benefit to the UK."
Shaaron Leverment, CEO, ASDC
Thank you to the 10 MPs who attended the roundtable, the speakers who shared case studies and everyone who came to show their support for the science and discovery centre sector.
