British MPs call for immigration guarantees for scientists

SCIENTISTS in Britain were left more shaken than most after the EU referendum on June 23rd. About 10% of the money for research in British universities comes from the EU and 17% of academics in the country are citizens of other EU states. No wonder, then, that informal polling before the referendum showed a large majority in favour of continued membership of the union. Since the vote to leave, uncertainty over funding and the government's tough talk about tightening immigration controls after Brexit have further rattled nerves.Now MPs have given warning that such uncertainties threaten to undermine scientific collaboration in Britain. In a report published on November 18th the House of Commons science and technology select committee called for an 'immediate commitment' from the government to exempt EU researchers already working in Britain from any future immigration controls. Guaranteeing the status of those currently in the country 'is one way the government could reduce that uncertainty right away', says Stephen Metcalfe, the committee's chairman.The MPs also argued that post-Brexit immigration rules for scientists...Continue reading
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