CaSE responds to Brexit position paper on science and innovation

The Government has published its Brexit position paper on science and innovation, setting out its objectives for continued science success.

Commenting on the paper, CaSE Executive Director, Dr Sarah Main, said:

“The UK is exceptionally strong in science and our collaborations with EU researchers are a huge contributor to our success. Brexit poses considerable risks for science, so it’s great to see the Government making continued collaborative links with the EU a priority in the negotiations.”

“It is welcome that the Government are indicating that all options are on the table for continued scientific collaboration, including the potential for a bespoke agreement as an associated country. This softer approach to mutually beneficial arrangements beyond Brexit is made possible because of the high regard in which UK science is held and its strong research networks across Europe.”

“To make the most out of this overture to continue scientific collaboration with the EU, the Government must start making firm commitments on migration, regulation and scientific funding that push in the same direction to ensure the UK truly benefits from being a global leader in science and engineering.”

Responding to the Home Office document reported in today’s Guardian, CaSE has called on the Government to formulate an immigration system based on the considerable available evidence of the UK’s needs for excellence, skills, education and collaboration.

Dr Main appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC News at One, and BBC Newsnight to discuss the continued success of the UK’s scientific collaborations with the EU and the need for an immigration system which supports this.

Notes

You can read CaSE’s submission to the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee’s inquiry on the implications and opportunities for science and research on leaving the EU, as well as CaSE’s report on the role EU membership plays in UK science and engineering, published ahead of the June 2016 Referendum.