Westminster Hall debate on the impact of Science and Discovery Centres on national science and technology priorities

We were delighted that following discussions with ASDC, Steve Witherden MP was able to secure a Westminster Hall debate on 14th January 2026 to discuss the impact of Science and Discovery Centres on national science and technology priorities.

Steve Witherden MP, who represents Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, where ASDC member the Centre for Alternative Technology is based, opened the debate. He delivered a brilliantly passionate speech covering the main points, before over a dozen MPs from across the political spectrum, and the nation, took to the floor.

• Watch the video of the debate on the Parliamentary website
• Read the full transcript of the debate in Hansard here
• House of Commons Library debate pack

Cross-party support

Very strong support was expressed for Science and Discovery Centres, with the messages and calls to action from the Science Centres For Our Future campaign amplified across the House. MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, SNP and DUP, representing seats and centres in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all spoke with one voice, united in their conviction that our sector is extremely valuable for the future of the UK's science and technology industry.

Julia Lopez MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said:

"SDCs are a quiet success story. They are independent, entrepreneurial and deeply embedded in communities. They support public understanding of science, they develop future skills and they are inspirational to future generations. They are not asking to be taken over or paid for, and they know what to do when it comes to continuing their great work long into the future, but they need help with short-term challenges that are not of their own making. They are asking to be recognised, engaged with and enabled to continue doing what they already do well for the benefit of science, society and the economy."

List of MPs who contributed to the debate

The following MPs contributed to the debate, championing their local Science Centres, and sharing the ways the sector has touched their lives.

• Steve Witherden, representing the Centre for Alternative Technology, Montgomeryshire
• Gavin Robinson, representing W5 Science and Discovery centre, Belfast
• Dame Chi Onwurah, Chair of the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee, representing the International Centre for Life, Newcastle
• Chris Law, representing Dundee Science Centre
• Jim Shannon
• Andrew Ranger, representing Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, Widnes
• Kirsty Blackman, representing Aberdeen Science Centre
• Dr Danny Chambers, representing Winchester Science Centre
• Dr Lauren Sullivan, Member of the Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee
• Joe Morris, representing Kielder Observatory and Planetarium
• Peter Swallow, representing Look Out Discovery Centre
• Charlotte Cane, spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats
• Julia Lopez, Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, and spokesperson for the Conservatives

Response to the debate

Kanishka Narayan MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, responded to the debate on behalf of the Government.

He acknowledged the important role played by Science and Discovery Centres in helping ensure, in his words, “everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in science, technology, engineering and maths”, noting that several centres deliver UKRI-funded programmes.

Recognising the financial pressures facing centres, he said the Government was "committed to strengthening the STEM pipeline in collaboration with science and discovery centres, UKRI and industry", saying that he'd heard "loud and clear the concerns expressed about the funding resilience" of Science and Discovery Centres.

However, whilst recognising these concerns, Minister Narayan also stated that “building financial resilience” will be key to the long-term success of the sector, and that centres should “reflect on diversifying income and exploring innovative ways to strengthen sustainability as part of the solution.”

Turning to the questions raised by MPs during the debate, he said:

“I am keen... that DSIT engages closely, but I am also conscious that the cultural contribution of discovery centres is a fundamental part of what motivates them and those who visit them. I am therefore keen to commit to close cross-Government working right across DCMS, DSIT and any other Departments.”

Concluding, Minister Narayan said the debate highlighted the “extraordinary contribution” of SDCs as well as “the shared responsibility that we all have to ensure that they succeed in a sustainable way, and that the inclusive way in which they engage young people and families right across this country is maintained for as long as possible.”

Next steps

Minister Narayan said the debate should be the start, not the end of the conversation, agreeing to meet with Steve Witherden and ASDC to progress this conversation in a tangible way. In response, Steve Witherden said he looked forward to meeting the Minister and to working with him to support Science and Discovery Centres.

It is clear that this is the start of a substantive conversation with ministers from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, and wider departments. We are looking forward to the next steps in our campaign where we work with Steve Witherden MP and Minister Narayan, to explore practical ways to enables centres to thrive.