Boris Johnson said that Britain needed to invest in cutting edge research

Boris Johnson is moving today to prove that Britain is open to the world’s best scientists, researchers and mathematicians after Brexit.

Top-level visas for those of exceptional talent are being overhauled to widen eligibility and to remove the cap on numbers.

The move comes before a clampdown on less-skilled migrants that will put Mr Johnson in sharp conflict with business as Britain prepares to leave the European Union at 11pm on Friday.

The prime minister appears determined to face down industry protests over immigration as he sells his vision of a more agile country able to exploit new technologies.

It was announced last night that research funding for advanced mathematics will be boosted, with cash for PhD students doubled in the latest sign of the