Cutting spending on the "big" science fields of astronomy and particle physics is short-sighted and could be damaging to Britain, MPs have claimed.

Reducing resources for astronomers and atom scientists risked undermining Britain's leading role in these areas, said a report from the Science and Technology Committee.

It was also likely to have negative impacts on attracting and inspiring a future generation of scientists, and potential gains from international collaborations.

Science was largely spared painful budget cuts in last autumn's Spending Review, but some areas fared better than others. Funding for astronomy is due to be cut by 21% over the next four years, reducing its budget from £100 million in 2010/11 to £79 million in 2014/15.

A small increase of 5% in the total budget for particle physics over this period masks a heavy cut in capital - the amount spent on equipment and facilities - of 56%. Overall, spending on astronomy and particle physics by 2015 will be half what it was six years ago.

Andrew Miller MP, who chairs the select committee, said: "The idea that subjects like astronomy and particle physics do not provide immediate economic returns and therefore can be sacrificed at the altar of cutbacks is a nonsense.

"Other countries are getting it right: invest in science and innovation now and reap the longer term rewards of economic growth. If the UK is seen to send out a message that these scientific fields deserve to be relegated to lower divisions, what hope is there for inspiring the next generation of scientists?"

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) which distributes funds to astronomy, particle physics and nuclear physics, came in for strong criticism from the MPs.

In particular it was taken to task over Britain's planned withdrawal from all northern hemisphere ground-based astronomical facilities. This could see UK leadership and competitive advantage being given away, said the report. The STFC's failure to incorporate details of the planned withdrawals into policy documents was said to be "inexplicable".

A spokesman for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills said: "Our world-class science and research base is inherently valuable, as well as critical to promoting economic growth. Despite enormous pressure on public spending, the £4.6 billion per annum funding for science and research programmes has been protected in cash terms and ring-fenced against future pressures during the spending review period."