Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Leaving the EU: Employment Levels in the Science and Technology Sector

Wednesday 15 March 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Brexit has led to the loss of nearly 1 billion in EU funds for UK universities.
  • The government has introduced several visa routes to attract talent for science and technology roles.
  • The digital markets, competition, and consumer Bill is expected to be laid before Parliament in the current session.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steven Bonnar
Employment Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The MP asked about the impact of leaving the EU on job levels within the scientific community.

Question

What assessment has been made regarding the effect of Brexit on employment rates in the fields of science, innovation, and technology?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

My Department's work will ensure that we are breaking down barriers and levelling the playing field, so that more women can enter STEM jobs in research and innovation. This includes UK Research and Innovation funded STEM ambassadors in schools and, just last week, the Government announced £150,000 funding to support women who are taking career breaks and need skills to get back into STEM careers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The impact of Brexit on employment levels was not addressed. Instead, focus was on gender equality in STEM jobs.

How: Changed Subject

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Q2 Steven Bonnar
Immigration Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The MP noted that universities in the UK have lost nearly £1 billion in EU funds, resulting in cancelled grants. Many EU-based researchers are leaving due to perceived hostility.

Question

Thanks to Brexit, universities in the UK have lost almost £1 billion in EU funds with 115 cancelled grants last year alone. My constituent Ms McCallum's long-term partner is French and cannot secure a visa for work in Scotland because of complexities and costs. What steps are being taken to reduce visa costs for skilled workers?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We do not underestimate the importance of attracting top talent to work in science and technology. We have created routes like the global talent visa, high-potential individual route, and scale-up route.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for reducing costs were not mentioned, only new visa categories.

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Brexit Business & Trade
Context

The MP pointed out that UK law has failed to address online harms such as fake reviews and subscription traps despite Government claims of action.

Question

Since our departure from the EU, we need a regulatory path for businesses investing in the UK and consumer confidence. However, no legislation addresses these harms, another delay means broken promises again. When can we expect the digital markets, competition and consumer Bill to be laid before Parliament?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

We have committed to delivering it in this Session. Further details will be announced by the Leader of the House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete date or timeline was provided for Bill introduction.

How: Deferred

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Q4 Oliver Heald Con
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The MP highlighted the high-quality workforce for science and technology in the UK, mentioning companies like Johnson Matthey in north Hertfordshire.

Question

Will the Secretary pay tribute to the quality of our workforce for science and technology? In north Hertfordshire, we have companies doing great work in environmental fields. Will she do all she can to get us back into EU programmes?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

It is because of our best and brightest that we can lead. I pay tribute to those in north Hertfordshire, looking forward to visiting them soon. Our position on Horizon has not changed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not commit to praising the workforce or rejoining EU programs specifically.

How: Deferred

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