A lack of proper funding arrangements for science teaching could put key government goals at risk, a select committee has said.

The Commons science and technology committee said that the number of students in key science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects appears to be in decline.

To address the issue, ministers should act to improve the quality of science teaching in schools, said the MPs.

Rather than allowing all 130 higher education bodies to compete for funds, the committee called for each institution to specialise in particular areas in collaboration with other universities.

"There have already been too many closures of university science departments," said Dr Ian Gibson, the committee chairman.

"The government can't keep papering over the cracks and hoping that this problem will go away.

"A radical solution is needed. The government needs to bang the heads of vice chancellors together until they start looking beyond their own doorsteps to the wider national interest.

"Otherwise it can kiss goodbye to its economic goals."

Priority area

Responding to the report, science minister Lord Sainsbury said that higher education funding was increasing.

"Science and engineering are priority areas for this Labour government," he said.

"To increase the number of students taking subjects such as physics, chemistry and engineering, we are doubling the number of science places in the graduate teacher programme, raising the teacher training bursary for science graduates to £7,000 and raising the golden hellos for new science teachers to £5,000 by September 2005 and we are building a Science Learning Centre in every region to help continuing professional development.

"Over 50 science, engineering and technology points across the country bring science and technology activities into the classroom and through the science and engineering ambassador scheme over 8,500 young scientists are going into classroom to inspire young people to pursue a career in science and engineering."