Reacting to today’s joint report from the negotiation of the European Union and UK Government, Professor 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.”