Last week Parliament renewed its commitment to science and technology. Recent suggestions of budget cuts to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) prompted prominent members of the science and engineering community, and many MPs and Peers, to voice their support for POST.

Following discussions with the House of Commons authorities, Adam Afriyie MP, Chair of the POST Board, is now confident that the POST budget is secure until April 2015.

Commenting on the news, Mr Afriyie said:

"Supporting parliamentarians' work through POST is absolutely critical to improving understanding of science and technology issues in Parliament. POST has a vital role to play in improving the quality of public policy in the UK by supporting an evidence-based approach to policy-making.

"I am delighted that the POST budget is now secure until April 2015."

Contact:

§  Telephone: 020 7219 8023

§  E-mail: adam.afriyie.mp@parliament.uk

Editors' notes:

1. Adam Afriyie is MP for Windsor and Chair of the POST Board. He was Shadow Minister for Science and Innovation from 2007 to 2010.

2. POST's website: http://www.parliament.uk/post