The proposed reforms to UK research are needlessly drastic. Here's why | Martin Rees

The government wants to overhaul the UK's research system. But a persuasive case for change has not been made. We should shelve the Nurse review proposals

As we saw in debates on the Queen's Speech, parliamentary scrutiny of the government's higher education and research bill is likely to focus on student fees, the quality of university teaching, and the role and degree-giving powers of private providers. But as the bill approaches its second reading, and particularly when it reaches the House of Lords, it will be important that the proposed upheaval in the bodies that fund research receives equal scrutiny.

The continued success and vitality of UK research depends on the dual support funding system, which combines grants from the research councils with block funding allocated to universities on the basis of periodic assessment. For this system to operate, some kind of research excellence framework, or REF, is a necessary evil.