'Sending positive message'
Prof Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the UK's Royal Society, was among those lobbying hardest for the system to be run by research organisations. He welcomed the announcement, saying the new visa would be "attractive" to talented researchers and specialists from all over the world - and at all stages of their careers. "It sends out a positive message that the UK is committed to remaining open to overseas science talent who would collaborate with our outstanding home-grown minds," he said. "What is good for science is good for everybody, and can help tackle important challenges such as climate change or disease." Sir Venki added: "The government has listened to the research community, and this is an important first step in creating the visa system that we need for attracting global scientific talent - one that is welcoming, faster and more flexible, and takes into account the long-term aspirations of scientists and their families." But Dr Robert Massey, deputy director of the Royal Astronomical Society tweeted that he was concerned the system would still restrict the entry of young, up-and-coming researchers. He gave it "a cautious welcome", adding: "The issues will still though be about calling for the 'most talented', which isn't a label many early career researchers identify with." BBC News reported last year that, after Brexit, science is one of the top priorities for the PM's chief aide, Dominic Cummings. Senior research leaders have confirmed that they have been in talks with Mr Cummings and the Science Minister Chris Skidmore in Downing Street. The talks focused on how best to spend a possible multi-billion pound increase in research funding. The outcome may be announced in the March budget. EU researchers account for about half of the total UK scientific workforce of 211,000. Currently, they do not need visas to work in British labs. But freedom of movement between the UK and EU is expected to end after the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. The government says it will introduce an Australian-style points-based system by January 2021.![Boris Johnson](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/16F35/production/_108250049_mediaitem108247626.jpg)
![Chi Onwurah](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/12CFF/production/_110655077_c9e65315-67a8-4f6f-aabc-12ac58eab9e4.jpg)
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