No need to panic DPA/Press Association Images

Prime Minister Theresa May has moved to reassure the UK’s scientists in the wake of the vote to leave the EU.

In a letter addressed to the Royal Society and its former president Paul Nurse, dated five days after she became prime minister, May says that the government’s “ongoing commitment to science and research remains steadfast”.

In the letter, seen by New Scientist, the prime minister says that she is setting up UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a body to oversee the UK’s research councils, in response to Nurse’s recommendations in a review published last year. And May claims that moving the science portfolio into the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does not “signal any reduction in the very high priority I attach to both teaching and research.”


May also insists that Brexit would not have a detrimental effect on UK science, stressing that the UK was not turning its back on European scientists.

Many scientists had raised concerns in the build-up to last month’s referendum that a vote to leave the EU would leave UK science on the outside looking in. And there have been reports that, since the vote, some UK researchers are being left out of EU projects.

“I would like to reassure you about the Government’s commitment to ensuring a positive outcome for UK science as we exit the European Union,” May says.

Enough backing?

Some scientists were satisfied by the prime minister’s apparent backing. Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society, said: “These are uncertain times, so having the new prime minister making such a positive commitment to science is very encouraging.”

He added: “She not only reaffirms the Government’s financial support for science at home but also to ensuring a positive outcome for science in the Brexit negotiations.”

But not everyone is so convinced.

“Although it’s good to get some acknowledgement from the PM – it’s not enough,” said Mike Galsworthy of the Scientists for EU group, which campaigned for the UK to stay in the EU.

“Post Brexit vote data indicate that we are already dropping in attractiveness to foreign talent. We are at the bottom of the G8 for science investment. We need a real plan urgently – a very public commitment.

“Personally, I think we need a Department of Science and Innovation, with increased budget and guarantees around foreign workforce and EU negotiations,” he said