We have responded to the @officestudents consultation on recurrent funding for 2021-22 which, amongst its proposals, includes a 49% funding cut for archaeology. These cuts are a bad idea. Here’s why (a thread) 1/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs #archaeology #HigherEducation

At a time when archaeology is playing a key part in the Government’s strategic objectives for economic growth, infrastructure development and Levelling-Up, we need as many archaeologists as possible to enter the profession. 2/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs #archaeology

Funding cuts on this scale would constrict our workforce pipeline and are likely to result in costly quality and programme impacts on the country’s efforts to Build Back Better. 3/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs #archaeology #HigherEducation #archaeology

The Consultation fundamentally misunderstands the multidisciplinary nature of archaeology as a profession and the variety of STEM skills and expertise that our field now demands. 4/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs #archaeology #HigherEducation

Commercial Archaeology has a critical role to play in the Government’s Growth Agenda and in the timely delivery of much needed infrastructure across the country. The demand for our expertise is greater now than it has been in over 10 years. 5/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs

It will exacerbate an already urgent & identified skills shortage. Archaeology is a recognised ‘shortage occupation’ and the sector has 20% fewer archaeologists than required to deliver core infrastructure projects currently in the pipeline. 6/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs

This cut will put more university archaeology departments at risk of closure, making it more difficult for students – of all backgrounds – to access archaeological training and enter the profession. 7/7
@InstituteArch @famearch @BAJRjobs #archaeology #HigherEducation