UK charity warns no-deal Brexit threatens science, research

The Associated Press

6 years ago

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a speech on domestic priorities at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, England, Saturday July 27, 2019. Economists have warned that leaving the European bloc without an agreement in under 100-days would disrupt trade to impact on finances and investment. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacts during a speech on domestic priorities at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, England, Saturday July 27, 2019. Economists have warned that leaving the European bloc without an agreement in under 100-days would disrupt trade to impact on finances and investment. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during a speech on domestic priorities at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, England, Saturday July 27, 2019. Economists have warned that leaving the European bloc without an agreement in under 100-days would disrupt trade to impact on finances and investment. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

LONDON — The head of Britain’s leading charity funding scientific research has written to new Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning about the threat to science if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal.

Wellcome Trust chair Eliza Manningham-Buller wrote that barriers to global collaboration must be minimized in Europe, where Britain’s “closest and most extensive science relationships are.” She said “some damage has already been done, with the loss of researchers and influence” since Brexit was set in motion.

She also urged Johnson to increase state research spending to match that in Germany, and devise a more welcoming immigration policy so Britain can still attract top scientists and their families.

Johnson has promised that Britain will leave the EU by Oct. 31, with or without a divorce deal.