Union fears job cuts at Kew

The science workers' union Prospect has raised concerns about an announcement from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew revealing a £5-million deficit for this year and plans to cut 125 science and public-engagement jobs.

Specialists have warned that these proposed job cuts will “irreversibly damage” Kew’s ability to conserve plants, fungi and the environment, a statement from the union Prospect says.

Kew had it’s funding reduced by £1.5m in 2010-11 and has been told it can expect further cuts of £1.8m to be imposed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs before the end of 2016, the statement from Prospect said.