Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner told the Government that the skills shortage that could occur after Brexit will damage progress in world-leading research. During Business Questions he told the Leader of the House that a large proportion of staff working at the Sanger Institute just outside Cambridge are non-UK EU nationals.

Mr Zeichner recently visited the Sanger Institute at the Wellcome Genome Campus. The Campus represents the single largest genomics and biodata capability in the world, and the Sanger Institute undertakes genome research involving large scale sequencing and analysis. Of 1,010 staff at the Sanger Institute, 20% are from the European Economic Area (excluding the UK) and 13% are international.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “The pattern at the Sanger Institute is mirrored across the country -; EU nationals make up a big proportion of those doing vital work on science and research in the UK, and make a huge contribution. I’m worried that if those people leave, the UK will face a significant brain drain and our vital research sector will take a hit. The Government needs to stop moving the UK recklessly towards a hard Brexit and give non-UK EU nationals a promise that they can stay. UK research institutions must continue to be able to recruit world-class talent if our country is to remain a world leader for science and research.”