Brexit putting British science at risk, seven national academies warn

Open letter says researchers are already experiencing problems

Scientific research is under threat from Brexit, seven national academies have warned (iStock)

Seven national science academies have written an open letter warning that Brexit is already damaging research in the UK and urging the Government to take urgent action to address the problem.

They called on Theresa May’s new administration to secure the funding currently provided by EU research programmes and allow scientists from the Continent to work in the UK, and vice-versa.

British science receives from the EU than the Government contributes to the funding schemes, with UK institutions and companies receiving about £5.8bn between 2007 and 2013 – a concrete indication of the success of the sector.

The academies warned Brexit was already putting this at risk.

“The result of the EU Referendum presents a challenge to maintaining this excellence,” they wrote.

“The current uncertainty is having immediate implications and raises many questions.

“A bold public commitment from the Government that the UK wishes to retain and build this excellence is required to assuage any loss of confidence in UK research.”

The letter was signed by the British Academy, the Royal Society, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Irish Academy and the Learned Society of Wales.

It argued that the UK should seek to stay as close to the EU – in terms of science – as possible.

“As the Government explores the various options for the future relationship of the UK with the EU, we urge it to do its utmost to safeguard the UK’s assets in research, scholarship and innovation by: a) seeking the closest achievable association with the EU research programmes; b) ensuring that talented researchers from other EU countries have certainty about the opportunities to work in the UK and likewise for UK researchers to work in other EU countries; and c) providing funding that will continue to promote international collaboration,” the letter said.

“Urgent discussions are needed on how to address any funding gap in both the short and medium term.”

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy responded to a request for comment by referring to comments made by Science Minister Jo Johnson at the Science and Technology Committee last week.

"This Government is fully committed to science and to keeping us … as a science powerhouse," he said.

"That’s how we see ourselves as a country and we want to do everything we can to make the most of the opportunities that are going to arise over the years ahead, and also limit some of the risks which the sector has identified.

"We’ve been very clear that there should be no discrimination against UK institutions, soft or hard. We have sought reassurances [from EU Science Commissioner Corles Moedas], which he has provided."

Mr Johnson added that Britain should be "more open and outward-looking than ever before" and the Government wanted to "forge international collaborations with European partners and countries beyond the EU".