UK scientists go mad over proposed budget cuts

In a demonstration that is probably unprecedented, hundreds of scientists gathered outside the Treasury to protest against expected cuts in research funding by the UK government.

The protest comes in advance of the coalition government's first comprehensive spending review, due on 20 October. The government says science spending must stand up to "economic scrutiny".

All Whitehall departments with the exception of health and international development face budget reductions of up to 25 per cent over four years as part of a £83 billion cuts programme.

The spending review is expected to include major cuts to the science budget. Currently the country has a research budget of around £6 billion. The cuts are expected to trim about £1 billion of this.

Campaign group Science is Vital organised the demonstration as part of its efforts to persuade George Osborne, the chancellor of the exchequer, not to slash funding for scientific research as part of the spending cuts. A protest letter was signed by around 2,000 others who couldn't attend the rally.

The protesters, many wearing lab coats and safety goggles, chanted 'Hey Osborne, leave our geeks alone' to the tune of the Pink Floyd classic The Wall.