As scientists in the UK express fears that a no-deal Brexit could severely affect the country's research and development, Boris Johnson, the UK's Prime Minister has announced plans to allow easier entry for scientists from all around the world. Indeed, the Prime Minister, freshly installed at 10, Downing Street has indicated that the Home Office as well as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy are putting together a strategy to attract the brightest minds to the UK.
“We were home to the world's first national DNA database, we discovered graphene, and our cutting-edge scientists should be proud to follow in the footsteps of titans like Ada Lovelace and Njobel laureates Francis Crick and Peter Higgs. But to ensure we continue to lead the way in the advancement of knowledge, we have to not only support the talent that we already have here but also ensure our immigration system attracts the very best minds from around the world,” said Boris Jognson in a Facebook live policy announcement he did from his office, at 10, Downing Street.
The UK's immigration system already favors science professionals. Indeed, a plethora of scientific roles are featured on the UK's shortage occupation list. Positions found on this list would benefit from a number of exemptions regarding visa procedures. Companies and institutions seeking to fill positions like biologists or physical scientists would, for example, not have to advertise the position before hiring a foreign candidate. The issue lies with visa procedures for the family accompanying the successful candidates, the Guardian reports.
In other news, Boris Johnson seems very much determined to carry on with Brexit, whether or not a deal is reached between the UK and the European Union. A no-deal Brexit would mean even more uncertainty for expats living in the UK as well as for Brits living outside the country.
