December 8, 2017

expert reaction to joint report from the negotiation of the European Union and UK Government

The scientific community reacted to the latest Brexit developments as a deal was struck between the UK and the EU after extensive talks.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome, said:

“For researchers today’s deal offers much needed hope. Certainty over their right, and their family’s right, to live, work or study under the same conditions as they do now will allow people to plan for their future.

“It is also encouraging to see that the UK will continue to participate in all European Union programmes until 2020. I hope and expect that this commitment will include Horizon 2020, the EU’s flagship research programme. Cross-border collaboration is critical for science, and funding that encourages partnership is a critical component of that.

“We are now looking to what future arrangements may be and, together with the Royal Society, we are asking researchers and scientific organisations to take part in the Future Partnerships Project to have their say as to how this could happen.”

Prof Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

“I am delighted that the UK Government has announced concrete certainty for EU nationals, and crucially their families, who have chosen the UK as their home and place to work. We know that almost 25% of medical research staff working in UK universities are non-UK EU nationals. The UK’s tremendous research strength could not exist without the vast contribution they make. This declaration provides much-needed assurance, allowing these people to make plans for their future with confidence.

“Today’s report also reveals that the UK will continue to participate in EU programmes that run until 2020. I hope that this will give UK-based researchers much needed clarity on their continued ability to participate in Horizon 2020 until it finishes. This greatly anticipated news will allow UK-based researchers to continue to benefit from the wide-reaching collaborative opportunities and funding that Horizon 2020 offers.

“Now we must look forward to seeing the development of the next phase of negotiations and transition, particularly the future regulation of medicines, medical devices and diagnostics.”

*https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/665869/Joint_report_on_progress_during_phase_1_of_negotiations_under_Article_50_TEU_on_the_United_Kingdom_s_orderly_withdrawal_from_the_European_Union.pdf

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