As a resident of East Anglia and as a scientist's wife I am acutely aware of global warming and its possible implications for the future.

  Furthermore, as the mother of two young children and as a home-owner in an area at risk from flooding I expect the Government to address the problems arising from climate change.

  In addition, as an educated person with some knowledge of scientific research, I wonder how the Government can receive the advice it needs to introduce the necessary measures.

  The restructuring of CEH has resulted in the abolition of its dedicated and acclaimed climate change programme. Its science director, who lasted less than 18 months in the position, has already committed himself to a new job, while remaining sections and groups are being put into other programmes. The Executive Board of CEH has not been able to alleviate fears that research into climate change is no longer a priority of CEH. These fears are prevalent both among CEH's employees and the wider public. Future losses of scientific staff currently working on climate change and in other areas are certain, as people have started to look for jobs elsewhere.

  Meanwhile the Minister for Science and Innovation has declared that more of this research should be carried out by universities, despite clear evidence that universities are not the best places to do this whereas Government-owned research centres are—or at least used to be.

  I understand that NERC should have mediated between the Minister's wishes and the needs of the population. NERC should also have assessed the conditions under which the necessary research can be carried out and should then have ensured that CEH was indeed restructured in an appropriate way. In my opinion, NERC has failed to do so on both accounts.

  We all still need research into climate change and its consequences, and we need the current and subsequent Governments to take decisive action. Please use your influence to make sure this will be achieved.

June 2006