Brexit, Science and Innovation: Preparations for 'No-Deal' inquiry

Transcription

1 25 January 2019 Brexit, Science and Innvatin: Preparatins fr 'N-Deal' inquiry Key pints N-deal is a very bad deal fr science. If we leave withut a deal, it will impact n scientific research immediately and culd take years t rebuild. 1 in 6 academic staff in UK Higher Educatin Institutins are frm elsewhere in the EU. They can easily chse t build their careers elsewhere. The UK culd immediately lse access t ver 1 billin a year in EU research funding. It culd take years t develp alternatives, meaning that valuable research culd be stpped in its tracks. We lse access t new medicines and technlgies and limit ur ability t tackle glbal prblems as regulatry and gvernance arrangements fall apart. UK research and innvatin needs a deal that: Keeps highly-skilled scientists wrking in the UK and ensures that internatinal talented peple still chse t cme here and cntribute t ur glbally cmpetitive science Keeps access t mney and netwrks which supprt the UK t wrk with scientists arund the wrld by ensuring that the UK remains in Hrizn 2020 t its end and seeks full assciatin with its successr, Hrizn Eurpe Maintains regulatry alignment that allws access t new medicines and new technlgies Gvernment has made sme helpful cmmitments and guarantees t reduce the impact f n-deal Brexit n UK science. Hwever there are further immediate actins that they shuld take nw: Cnfirm that additinal mney will be made available t BEIS in the event f n-deal Brexit, alngside the existing guarantees, t cver the csts f establishing alternative funding fr UK researchers n lnger able t access Eurpean Research Cuncil, Marie-Skldwska Curie Actins and the SME Instrument Prgrammes. Take all pprtunities t prmte the UK s cmmitment that it will always welcme glbal research and innvatin talent. In the event f n-deal Brexit, there are a number f actins that the gvernment shuld take t reduce the damage that this will d t UK research and innvatin. Demnstrate the UK s cmmitment t seek the ptin t fully assciate urselves with the excellence-based Eurpean 1 science and innvatin prgrammes including the successr t Hrizn 2020 and Euratm R&T by cmmitting the mney t d s at the next Spending Review. Demnstrate the UK gvernment s cmmitment fr 2.4% f GDP t be invested in UK R&D by 2027 and 3% in the lnger term by publishing a radmap alngside the next spending review, including public spending cmmitments up t 2027, t prvide certainty t the research and innvatin cmmunity and cnfidence t thse investing in UK R&D. Ensure that the UK s future immigratin system supprts research and innvatin. Undertake thrugh public cnsultatin befre diverging frm EU legislatin t ensure that there are n unintended impacts n research and innvatin. Intrductin 1. The Ryal Sciety welcmes the pprtunity t submit evidence t the Cmmittee s inquiry int Brexit, Science and Innvatin: Preparatins fr 'N-Deal'. The Sciety is the Natinal Academy f Science fr the UK and the Cmmnwealth. It is a self-gverning Fellwship f many f the 1 Apprximately 15,000 research visas were issued in the year ending 31 December 2017 acrss Tier 1 (Exceptinal Talent), Tier 2 (General) and Tier 5 (Gvernment Authrised Exchange). Since the number f nn-uk EEA researchers in the UK is rughly duble that f nn-eea, we can infer that requiring wrk permits fr all researchers culd treble the verall visa requirement

2 wrld s mst distinguished scientists wrking acrss a brad range f disciplines in academia and industry. The Sciety draws n the expertise f its Fellws and Freign Members t prvide independent and authritative scientific advice t UK, Eurpean and internatinal decisin makers. 2. UK science punches well abve its weight. Scientific research and innvatin are essential fr UK jbs, healthcare and imprving quality f life fr us and peple arund the wrld. This research and innvatin is increasingly glbal and UK researchers are themselves frm arund the wrld (thrughut this submissin, references t UK researchers refers t UK-based researchers nt UK natinals). The UK s reputatin fr excellence attracts peple frm arund the wrld, and allws the UK t cmpete with ther scientifically excellent natins fr internatinal talent. 3. As well as attracting internatinal talent t wrk here, UK researchers themselves wrk with thers arund the wrld. Glbal cllabratins are increasingly imprtant fr cutting-edge research, enabling researchers in the UK t wrk with the best teams, wherever they are. Seven EU cuntries are amng the UK s tp ten strngest scientific cllabratrs, frging relatinships that are valuable t bth cuntries Being part f the EU has played a huge rle in the UK becming a glbal scientific pwerhuse and magnet fr talent, as part f a strng Eurpean Research Area that can cmpete n the scale f ther scientific superpwers, such as the USA and China. If yu lk at this relatinship slely in mnetary terms nt taking int accunt the netwrks and cllabratins that this supprts the UK receives ver 1 billin a year frm the EU t supprt research and innvatin 3, making up part f the 1.67% f GDP that is currently invested int UK R&D 4 and this funding leverages further investment 5. Therefre changes t the UK s relatinship with the EU, and s access t these funding streams, will impact n the UK s gvernment s ability t deliver the 2.4% target by What wuld a N-Deal Brexit mean fr the science and innvatin cmmunity? Access t Eurpean research funding and netwrks: 5. In the event f the UK leaving the EU withut a deal, it wuld immediately g frm being a full member f Hrizn 2020 t becming a third cuntry. As a third cuntry, UK researchers will be able t access sme Hrizn 2020 funding n an effectively pay t play mdel 6, while they will 2 Data & Analysis: Clarivate Analytics, InCites available here: This map uses publicatin data f the UK's tp cllabrative partners t shw the strength f cllabratin between publicatins c-authred by UK-based and verseas researchers, with higher numbers indicating strnger degree f cllabratin. The data is based n publicatin data available. 3 Annual UK research funding frm the EU calculated using the average Hrizn 2020 funding received by the UK per year between plus the average amunt received by the UK thrugh ESIF t supprt research and innvatin activities calculated by Technplis (2017) The rle f EU funding in UK research and innvatin an analysis cmmissined by the UK s Natinal Academies The Ryal Sciety, British Academy, Academy f Medical Sciences and Ryal Academy f Engineering. This gives an average f Eur 1.5 billin per year. 4 See Ryal Sciety, Ryal Academy f Engineering, Academy f Medical Science, British Academy (2017) Investing in UK R&D figure 1 [accessed 23 September 2018] 5 Technplis (2017) The rle f EU funding in UK research and innvatin an analysis cmmissined by the UK s Natinal Academies The Ryal Sciety, British Academy, Academy f Medical Sciences and Ryal Academy f Engineering. 6 EU Cmmissin (2017) Guidance nte Funding f applicants frm nn-eu cuntries & internatinal rganisatins 2

3 be unable t participate in a number f schemes, ntably the majrity f schemes perated by the Eurpean Research Cuncil 7, Marie Skldwska Curie Actins and the SME Instrument The UK gvernment has prvided tw guarantees intended t ensure that UK-based researchers can cntinue t participate in Hrizn 2020 t its end in the event f n deal. a. All successful bids fr Hrizn 2020 funding submitted befre exit day will be funded by the UK gvernment: the Chancellr annunced in August and Octber 2016 that the gvernment will guarantee funding fr cmpetitively bid fr EU prjects submitted befre we leave the EU, including Hrizn 2020 prjects. This guarantee will cver all successful bids submitted by UK participants befre the UK exits the EU, fr the full duratin f the prjects. 9 b. The gvernment will pay t play as a third cuntry after exit day: In July 2018, the Chief Secretary laid a written ministerial statement (HCWS926) extending this guarantee t prvide further stability fr UK rganisatins in a n deal scenari. The guarantee nw additinally cvers funding fr successful bids where UK rganisatins are able t participate as a third cuntry in cmpetitive EU grant prgrammes. This extensin runs frm exit day until the end f Hwever these guarantees d nt address UK researcher s lss f access t Eurpean Research Cuncil, Marie Skldwska Curie Actins and the SME Instrument prgrammes.tgether these schemes invest apprximately half a billin punds int UK R&D annually 11 supprting valuable research. It culd take years t develp alternatives, meaning that this research culd be stpped in its tracks. It is als imprtant t nte that UK researchers culd still apply t participate in the Eurpean Research Cuncil and Marie Skldwska-Curie Actins and if successful, chse t take this funding up in an EU cuntry, i.e. leaving the UK Hrizn Eurpe, the successr t Hrizn 2020 that is due t begin in 2021, is still being agreed thrugh the EU s legislative prcess. The Prime Minister has stated her intentin t seek the ptin t fully assciate urselves with the excellence-based Eurpean science and innvatin prgrammes including the successr t Hrizn 2020 and Euratm R&T 13. As an EU 7 The Eurpean Research Cuncil recently annunced that fr the first time under the 2019 Wrk Prgramme, ne Principal Investigatr per Synergy Grant grup at any ne time can be hsted r engaged by an institutin utside f the EU r Assciated Cuntries 8 BEIS (2018) Guidance Hrizn 2020 funding if there s n Brexit deal funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal/hrizn-2020-funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal--2 9 BEIS (2018) Guidance Hrizn 2020 funding if there s n Brexit deal funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal/hrizn-2020-funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal BEIS (2018) Guidance Hrizn 2020 funding if there s n Brexit deal funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal/hrizn-2020-funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal The UK Gvernment s guarantee annunced n 24 July 2018 will cver the cst f UK participatin in Hrizn 2020 as a third cuntry in the event f leaving the EU with n deal. As a third cuntry, UK-based academics will nt be able t access funding frm the Eurpean Research Cuncil r Marie Skldwska-Curie Actins and UK-based SMEs will nt be able t access SME Instrument funding. Over the perid , the UK received an annual average f Eur 601 millin frm these three funding streams. See brexit-uk-science/references-and-wrkings-fr-brexit-n-dealfactsheet.xlsx fr the calculatins n which this is based. 12 Eurpean Cmmissin, Participant Prtal H2020 Online Manual, 13 Theresa May (2018) PM speech n science and mdern Industrial Strategy: 21 May

4 Member State, the UK has nt had an Assciatin agreement t the EU Framewrk Prgrammes befre. We are cncerned that a n-deal Brexit may make it less easy t assciate with Hrizn Eurpe, particularly if there has been a break in access t a cnsiderable amunt f research funding fllwing exit day, which wuld erde the strength f the UK s research base in the interim. 8. Framewrk prgrammes are nt the nly way that the EU supprts research and innvatin in the UK. Eurpean Reginal Develpment Funds are als a valuable surce f research and innvatin funding, with certain parts f the UK particularly dependent n this. Fr example, Wales is estimated t receive 388m between , equivalent t 125 per capita. Nrthern Ireland, similarly, is set t receive 113m, equivalent t 60 per capita. The UK average is 23 per capita 14. In the event f n-deal Brexit, UK rganisatins wuld be unable t access EU funding fr Eurpean Reginal Develpment Fund prjects after exit day. Hwever equivalent UK gvernment guarantees t thse made fr Hrizn 2020 are intended t ensure that there is n gap in funding fr reginal grwth in the event f a n-deal 15. In the lnger term, the UK gvernment prpsed a UK Shared Prsperity Fund in its Industrial Strategy t ensure that lcal areas cntinue t receive flexible funding fr their lcal needs. The gvernment plans t cnsult n the precise design and pririties fr the fund in Research by Technplis has shwn that sme academic disciplines are mre dependent n EU research funding than thers and wuld cnsequently be at risk f being hit harder in a n deal scenari if this is nt addressed. 17 Mbility: 10. UK researchers are frm all ver the wrld and the ability t mve is imprtant fr them t wrk with thers arund the wrld, and develp their career. 12% f UK academic researchers cme frm utside the EU and must navigate the UK s immigratin system. 17% f UK academic researchers cme frm elsewhere in the EU 18 and are currently able t live and wrk in the UK under freedm f mvement. In the event f n deal, this is nt expected t change immediately, althugh there is limited clarity n this. The Immigratin and Scial Security C-rdinatin (EU Withdrawal) Bill that is currently under scrutiny by the Huses f Parliament will put in place the necessary legislatin t end free mvement and create the legal framewrk fr a future system t apply t bth EU and nn-eu natinals, which will take time t implement. In the interim, the UK gvernment has instigated an EU Settlement Scheme fr nn- UK EU natinals living and wrking in the UK. The deadline fr applying will be 31 December 2020 if the UK leaves the EU withut a deal, up t which pint EU citizens will cntinue t be able t rely n their passprt (as a British citizen may) r natinal identity card if they are asked 14 Technplis (2017) The rle f EU funding in UK research and innvatin an analysis cmmissined by the UK s Natinal Academies The Ryal Sciety, British Academy, Academy f Medical Sciences and Ryal Academy f Engineering. 15 BEIS (2018) Guidance: Eurpean Reginal Develpment Funding if there s n Brexit deal 16 HM Gvernment (2017) Industrial Strategy: Building a Britain fit fr the future 17 Technplis (2017) The rle f EU funding in UK research and innvatin 18 Higher Educatin Statistics Agency Staff numbers and characteristics. See (accessed 14 March 2018). Figures include academic staff with functins in research, in teaching r neither. Numbers are runded. 4

5 t evidence their right t reside in the UK 19. The rights f EU natinals entering the UK after exit day are less clear. The UK gvernment will be cnsulting n the prpsals fr the future system published in the Immigratin White Paper during Even thugh free mvement fr nn-uk EU natinals t the UK is likely t cntinue in the immediate term in the event f n-deal, there are a number f cnsideratins that may impact n research and innvatin: a. Given that the UK s future immigratin plicy is still in develpment, EEA natinals wrking in the UK will have little clarity ver their lng-term future. They can easily chse t build their careers elsewhere. b. Cnversely it is nt clear what limitatins will be placed n UK natinals ability t travel and wrk in ther EU cuntries were the UK t leave withut a deal. This will be up t each EU cuntry t decide thrugh its wn immigratin plicy. This culd ptentially limit the ability f UK natinals t mve, and may therefre have an immediate impact n UK participatin in internatinal cllabratins and netwrks, and access t research infrastructure based elsewhere in the EU. c. Mre generally, the UK may appear t be much less welcming t scientific talent internatinally making us much less the destinatin f chice. Regulatin and gvernance: 12. The Eurpean Unin (Withdrawal) Act 2018 will keep mst existing EU law as UK dmestic law after Brexit in rder t ensure the cntinuity and cmpleteness f the UK's legal system, even if the UK leaves withut a deal. Hwever, withut a deal, there is little clarity ver hw UK and EU law might diverge ging frward, and this may have implicatins fr UK participatin in research cllabratins and future funding prgrammes. Fr example, the Clinical Trials Regulatin is due t cme int frce in March The UK gvernment has cmmitted t give pririty t taking the steps necessary t bring int UK law, withut delay, all relevant parts f the EU regulatin that are within the UK s cntrl, s that thse planning clinical research can d s with certainty 20 in the event f n-deal. Hwever several elements f the Regulatin are utside the UK s cntrl and will therefre be dependent n further negtiatin. Internatinal cllabratin enabled by the Clinical Trials Regulatin is vital fr clinical research, and means UK patients can cntinue t access ptentially life-saving experimental treatments. It is particularly imprtant fr rare, less cmmn and paediatric diseases, where patient ppulatins in individual cuntries are ften t small t recruit sufficient numbers. 75% f clinical trials in the EU invlve crss-natinal cllabratin, and this rises t 86% fr rare disease trials 21. The adequacy f what the gvernment and its nn-departmental public bdies are ding t prepare fr such an utcme The Hrizn 2020 Guarantees: 13. As detailed abve, the UK gvernment has prvided tw guarantees intended t ensure that UK-based researchers can cntinue t participate in Hrizn 2020 t its end in the event f ndeal. They have cnfirmed that these will be funded frm additinal mney, i.e. nt taken frm 19 DExEU (2018) Citizens Rights - EU citizens in the UK and UK natinals in the EU Plicy Paper 22/Plicy_paper_n_citizens rights_in_the_event_f_a_n_deal_brexit.pdf 20 Hansard 18 April 2018 Huse f Lrds, debate f Eurpean Unin (Withdrawal) Bill: available here 21 (2018) Jint statement n Clinical Trials Regulatin 5

6 mney already earmarked fr research and innvatin, and will be made available t departments by HM Treasury in the event f n-deal Brexit Hwever, withut an assciatin agreement t Hrizn 2020, UK researchers will still nt be able t participate in sme Hrizn 2020 prgrammes: specifically the majrity f schemes perated by the Eurpean Research Cuncil, Marie Skldwska Curie Actins and the SME Instrument. The gvernment has stated that We are wrking with stakehlders t identify apprpriate measures that culd be put in place in the perid immediately after EU Exit, if needed. 23 Given that these prgrammes represent apprximately half a billin punds f funding currently flwing t UK researchers each year t supprt valuable research prjects, it is imprtant fr the health f the UK s research and innvatin system that these preparatins take place. The Natinal Academies are in regular discussins with the gvernment t supprt this wrk. 15. Shuld it becme necessary, it will take time t develp dmestic alternatives t these prgrammes. T avid a break in funding and resulting lss f mmentum within the UK s research base, it is imprtant that mney is rapidly made available t deliver alternative funding in a n-deal Brexit scenari. The gvernment shuld cnfirm nw that additinal mney will be made available t BEIS in the event f n-deal Brexit, alngside the existing guarantees, t cver the csts f establishing alternative funding fr UK researchers n lnger able t access Eurpean Research Cuncil, Marie Skldwska Curie Actins and the SME Instrument prgrammes. Mbility: 16. As detailed abve, UK immigratin arrangements are nt expected t change in the shrt-term, but there is cnsiderable uncertainty ver the future. Hwever, the UK gvernment has clearly stated that it values glbal research and innvatin talent with the Immigratin White Paper stating: The UK will always welcme glbal research and innvatin talent the diversity f ideas and perspectives helps us t achieve mre in scientific and technlgical endeavurs than we culd ever achieve alne. The future immigratin system will cntinue t recgnise these cntributins. 24 and the Prime Minister has cmmitted t ensure that ur internatinal wrkfrce des nt change when we leave the Eurpean Unin 25. The UK gvernment shuld take all pprtunities t prmte its cmmitment that it will always welcme glbal research and innvatin talent, bth t internatinal researchers already wrking in the UK, and thse abrad wh may be cnsidering whether t cme and wrk here. A thrugh prcess f cnsultatin n the UK s future immigratin system must be undertaken t ensure that it supprts research and innvatin. Regulatin and gvernance: 22 Cmmns Written Questin (11 December 2018) Research: EU Grants and Lans 05/ BEIS (2018) Guidance Hrizn 2020 funding if there s n Brexit deal funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal/hrizn-2020-funding-if-theres-n-brexit-deal HM Gvernment (2018) The UK s future skills-based immigratin system 25 Prime Minister (21 May 2018) Speech n science and mdern Industrial Strategy 6

7 17. In a n deal scenari the UK wuld nt be legally cmmitted t medium r lng-term regulatry alignment with the EU. Divergence frm develping EU legislatin wuld be pssible in due curse. The gvernment has published a number f technical ntices ffering guidance fr cntinued planning in the event f n deal. These are helpful in the shrt term t infrm cntingency planning, but in the event f n-deal Brexit, any divergence frm the status qu must be infrmed by thrugh public cnsultatin t ensure that there are n unintended impacts n research and innvatin. Lking beynd n-deal 18. In the event f n-deal Brexit, there are a number f actins that the gvernment shuld take t reduce the damage that this will d t UK research and innvatin. Demnstrate the UK s cmmitment t seek the ptin t fully assciate urselves with the excellence-based Eurpean 26 science and innvatin prgrammes including the successr t Hrizn 2020 and Euratm R&T by cmmitting the mney t d s at the next Spending Review. These funds shuld ensure that ging frward excellent research and innvatin receives at least the same supprt as it currently des thrugh EU research and innvatin prgrammes, currently Hrizn Demnstrate the UK s cmmitment fr 2.4% f GDP t be invested in UK R&D by 2027 and 3% in the lnger term by publishing a radmap alngside the 2019 spending review, including public spending cmmitments up t 2027 t prvide certainty t the research and innvatin cmmunity and cnfidence t thse investing in UK R&D. Ensure that the UK s future immigratin system supprts research and innvatin. Future immigratin arrangements can mre effectively address the UK s skills needs by recgnising different career paths and different needs. We estimate that if the UK were t bring EEA natinals in line with the rest f the wrld after the UK s withdrawal frm the EU, this culd treble the number f science and research visas being issued annually. It is imprtant that universities and businesses are equipped fr this increased burden s that the UK can cntinue t attract thse individuals the UK needs t thrive. Fr further infrmatin, please cntact Becky Purvis, Head f Public Affairs, n becky.purvis@ryalsciety.rg 26 Apprximately 15,000 research visas were issued in the year ending 31 December 2017 acrss Tier 1 (Exceptinal Talent), Tier 2 (General) and Tier 5 (Gvernment Authrised Exchange). Since the number f nn-uk EEA researchers in the UK is rughly duble that f nn-eea, we can infer that requiring wrk permits fr all researchers culd treble the verall visa requirement 7