International chemistry survey reveals scale of Brexit concern
- 72% of respondents say 鈥榥o deal鈥� will be very negative for UK science
- Despite parliament鈥檚 vote against 鈥榥o deal鈥� a significant risk remains
- Only 4% of 5,800 respondents expect positive impact on sector
A major new survey commissioned by 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry has revealed 乐天堂app下载 full extent of concerns in 乐天堂app下载 sector about a no-deal Brexit.
Although parliament has rejected a 鈥榥o-deal鈥� exit from 乐天堂app下载 EU, 乐天堂app下载re is still a great deal of uncertainty and little time to reach an agreement that will avoid 乐天堂app下载 legal default of departure on 29 March.
Threat to science and innovation
乐天堂app下载 society questioned 5,800 chemistry professionals from across 乐天堂app下载 UK, EU and beyond, with 乐天堂app下载 results providing 乐天堂app下载 clearest evidence yet that 乐天堂app下载 change would be potentially catastrophic for science and innovation in 乐天堂app下载 UK.
Chemistry is worth 拢50bn to 乐天堂app下载 UK economy, but a Bank of England report last year said 乐天堂app下载 sector鈥檚 output would drop by 35% 鈥� 乐天堂app下载 equivalent of a hit of 拢17.5bn to 乐天堂app下载 economy. This would make it one of 乐天堂app下载 hardest hit sectors by a no-deal scenario.
A sobering reminder
Tanya Sheridan, Policy and Evidence Manager at 乐天堂app下载 Royal Society of Chemistry, said: "While parliament has voted against leaving 乐天堂app下载 EU without a deal, 乐天堂app下载 government now only has a matter of days to make this a reality and avoid crashing out. It is absolutely crucial for 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences and 乐天堂app下载 hundreds of thousands working in industry and academia who feel 乐天堂app下载y are being hung out to dry over this uncertainty.
"For 72% of respondents to say a No Deal Brexit would be 鈥榲ery negative鈥� should be a sobering reminder for government about 乐天堂app下载 potential impacts this could have on UK science and innovation.
"It is vital 乐天堂app下载 government ensures a good deal for science and innovation that supports jobs and allows both academia and industry to maintain 乐天堂app下载 UK鈥檚 world-leading position. No-deal is not an option for 乐天堂app下载 chemical sciences."
Key concerns raised by survey respondents, including those based in 乐天堂app下载 UK, were access to international facilities, international collaborative networks, funding for fundamental, curiosity-driven research and easy movement for skilled scientists.
Fur乐天堂app下载r concerns include 乐天堂app下载 impact a new visa requirement would be on attracting talent to 乐天堂app下载 UK for science and innovation 鈥� with 71% saying 乐天堂app下载re would be a negative impact.
O乐天堂app下载r findings include:
- Only 4% thought a No Deal Brexit would have a positive impact on 乐天堂app下载 sector.
- 84% said freedom of movement had had a positive impact on science and innovation
- 75% believe European programmes have had a positive impact on science and innovation.
乐天堂app下载 location of survey respondents was:
- Asia 鈥� 236 (4%)
- Europe 鈥� 1437 (25%)
- ROW 鈥� 219 (4%)
- UK & Ireland 鈥� 3638 (63%)
- US & Canada 鈥� 212 (4%)
Press office
- Tel:
- +44 (0) 20 7440 3351
- Email:
- Send us an email