Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr MP Steve Witherden has placed CAT firmly in the national spotlight during a Westminster Hall debate focused on the role of Science and Discovery Centres for the UK’s science and technology priorities.
The debate formed part of the Science Centres For Our Future campaign spearheaded by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres, which calls on Government to provide £19.5 million of match-funded investment to address urgent infrastructure risks and secure the future of these centres. Currently, Science and Discovery Centres (SDCs) are excluded from infrastructure funding available to museums and libraries – a gap that threatens their ability to continue inspiring and educating future generations.
Why Science and Discovery Centres matter
Across the UK, Science and Discovery Centres play a unique and irreplaceable role. They spark curiosity and inspire millions of visitors each year, including thousands of schoolchildren, helping to build public trust in new technologies and create pathways into science careers. These centres are also critical in tackling the UK’s STEM skills shortage – a challenge that costs the economy an estimated £1.5 billion annually.
Steve Witherden MP highlighted this during the debate, saying:
“SDCs are powerful but undervalued. They are beacons of sustainability,
education and innovation. With recognition and investment, they can
flourish – supporting national climate goals, inspiring future scientists and
engineers, and ensuring that science remains accessible to all.”
CAT’s role in a sustainable future
For over 50 years, CAT has been pioneering sustainability – combining cutting-edge research with world-class education to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon future. Our postgraduate degrees and professional training equip individuals with expertise in renewable energy, sustainable building, and environmental science – skills that are essential to achieving the UK’s net-zero targets and industrial strategy goals.
Steve Witherden MP spoke passionately about CAT’s unique contribution:
“CAT is truly the jewel in the crown of Montgomeryshire – a centre that has always been ahead of its time in pioneering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world.
CAT’s impact reaches far beyond Mid Wales. Each year, we train hundreds of postgraduate students, deliver carbon literacy programmes to councils across the UK, and inspire thousands of schoolchildren through workshops and STEM engagement initiatives such as Bold Futures, which empowers young people to imagine and create positive visions for a sustainable future.
Later in his speech, Steve Witherden MP went on to explain that:
“For over half a century, the CAT has combined cutting-edge research with world-class education to accelerate the transition to a zero -carbon future.
It is not just a centre; it is a catalyst for change – locally, nationally and globally.“
A personal connection
Steve Witherden MP also shared his own deep connection to CAT:
“My connection with science centres – and in particular, Montgomeryshire
and Glyndŵr’s own Centre for Alternative Technology, commonly known
as the CAT – is deeply personal. It is, in fact, the reason I am here today
representing my constituency.
My father was the first in his family to go to university, where he studied Agricultural Economics. After graduating, my parents moved to Montgomeryshire in the 1970s and settled in Machynlleth. They were among the founding members of the CAT, one of the oldest science centres in the UK.”
He concluded with a powerful message:
“With proper recognition, urgent investment in infrastructure, and a long –
term capital renewal fund, the CAT and the other outstanding centres
across the UK can continue to ignite curiosity, expand green skills, and
unlock the full potential of UK science and technology for a healthy,
secure, and sustainable future.”
Looking ahead
The debate demonstrated strong cross-party and cross-nation support for Science and Discovery Centres. MPs from across the political spectrum speaking passionately about the importance of Science and Discovery Centres along and their own personal connections, and urged Kaniska Narayan, the Minister responding on behalf of the government, to work with the sector to ensure so they can continue inspiring future generations and supporting national priorities in science, technology, and sustainability.
Minister Narayan didn’t commit to any particular source of funding, but responded acknowledging the important role Science and Discover Centres play and that he had “heard loud and clear the concerns expressed about the funding resilience of science and discovery centres.”
You can watch the full debate here.
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