The Met Office welcomes that the Science and Technology Committee recognises the Met Office fulfils its role as the national weather forecasting service for the UK and is underpinned by a robust science strategy that delivers a cost effective and accurate service for the UK and beyond.

John Hirst, Met Office Chief Executive said: “This endorsement from the Science and Technology Committee affirms the trust the nation has in the Met Office to provide forecasts and warnings when it matters.”

During the course of the review, the committee heard about the importance of the Met Office’s role in providing vital services for the UK and our world-class science. The Met Office is unique, combining world-leading science and operational infrastructure that supports us to ‘pull through’ our science to provide ever better forecasts and warnings.

Julia Slingo, Met Office Chief Scientist said: “I am delighted that it has been recognised that the Met Office science strategy has been very well received across the meteorological community. It provides a robust and cost-effective platform for the ‘pull through’ of our science for the benefit of the UK”

The Science and Technology Committee identified the need for additional supercomputing resource. We welcome the committee’s recommendation that further investment would be of value.

However, it is important to recognise that the Met Office has currently not secured any funding for additional supercomputing resource and the figures in the Science and Technology Committee report are purely recommendations.

The Government recognises the importance and value of investment in supercomputing capacity to improve weather and climate modelling. BIS, working closely with the Met Office and other stakeholders across Government, will continue to develop the business case for the next generation of supercomputing capacity.

In the mean time we will continue to provide the world-class forecasts the British public and our customers have come to expect.

Science and Technology Committee Thirteenth Report – Science in the Met Office

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