Reacting to the December 2019 Queen’s Speech, Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, commented:
“Yesterday’s Queen’s Speech contained welcome commitments to enshrine increases in the NHS budget in law as well as increasing investment in R&D to “unleash productivity and improve daily life for communities across the country”.
“Investing in medical research is known to improve the health and wealth of our nation and yet we have historically underinvested. I hope that yesterday’s commitments mean that our Government will take the opportunity to address this long-term failing, bringing our investment in line with other world-leading science nations and helping to deliver benefits to patients and the public across the UK.
“The Government has also made it clear that we will leave the EU on 31 January. As we redefine our relationship with the EU, there is much that Government will need to do to ensure that the UK remains an attractive destination and partner for research. From training, attracting and retaining talented individuals to facilitating collaboration with our international partners in Europe and beyond.
“There were positive signs yesterday that this Government will make changes to our visa system so that it is easier to recruit talented researchers from overseas and will seek continued collaboration with EU research programmes. I now look forward to working with our Government to ensure that this commitments are delivered in a way that supports medical research and the benefits that it brings to our nation.”
ENDS
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