'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 previously said he wants to draw scientists to the supercharged magnet of Britain "like iron filings" Sir Jim McDonald, president of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said he was "delighted" to see that the new visa system would be run by researchers rather than civil servants. He commented: "The new arrangements will allow awardees of a much larger range of UK and international fellowships to receive fast-track visas through the academies, while UKRI will administer a route that awards fast-track visas to principals and named team members of research and innovation grants from a range of endorsed funders." The head of UKRI, Prof Sir Mark Walport, said: "Today's announcements further underline the importance of research and innovation to the future success of the UK and the government's continued commitment and investment." Labour's spokesperson for industrial strategy, Chi Onwurah, said additional support and recognition for science should be welcomed. But she added that the new measures "suggest a lack of understanding of innovation, which depends on scientists, researchers, engineers and technicians at all levels and not just a few 'top talent'". Chi Onwurah said the new visa rules "suggest a lack of understanding" by solely focusing on "top talent" "Ending the Erasmus scheme, denying visas to scientists from Africa and Asia, imposing a minimum salary of £30,000, these all adversely affect the richness and quality of our scientific base," she said. Christine Jardine, from the Liberal Democrats, said the announcement suggests Mr Johnson "doesn't understand" what makes the UK science sector successful. "Science relies on thousands of researchers, and this announcement does nothing for the vast majority of them. If the government is serious about championing UK science, it must prioritise continued mobility as part of our future relationship with the EU," she said.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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