In the Commons Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner questioned the Secretary of State for International Trade on getting the best possible deal for life sciences sector. Mr Zeichner asked the minister Liam Fox if he agreed with industry leaders that Britain needs to be a part of a European wide regulatory system?

Mr Fox stocked the Chamber with his one word response: “No”.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “I’m stunned. The Life Sciences sector is one of the most highly regulated and harmonised sectors in the world. The system works for the UK and Cambridge with EU life sciences regulation fostering cross-border collaboration in research and allowing UK science access to the EU market. The result is jobs, and quicker access to new medicines for patients.

Mr Fox’s plan not to align our industry with the rest of Europe will add unnecessary red tape to the life sciences sector. I know he was unwilling to listen to evidence during the referendum campaign but now it is high time for him to wake up and smell the coffee. He needs to listen to what industry experts are saying and do right by Britain.”