Hard Brexit ‘threatens university research’
European research collaboration worth billions of pounds to UK universities “cannot exist” if free movement comes to an end, the European Commissioner for science and innovation has warned.
Carlos Moedas said UK participation in the Horizon 2020 programme, which has pumped £210 million into Scottish universities, depends on the government’s approach to immigration after Brexit.
Theresa May has said the UK will leave the single market in March 2019, bringing free movement of people from the EU to an end.
Tory MPS are in talks with Labour to prevent Britain leaving the European Union without a deal, John Mcdonnell has suggested.
The shadow chancellor said Parliament could stop the government taking the country out of the block without an agreement in place.
But Chris Grayling said the Labour MP was talking nonsense and accused him of threatening to create a chaotic Brexit.
The Transport Secretary insisted Britain would be successful even if it left without a deal and suggested crashing out would lead to British farmersgrowingmorefoodtomeet demand.
Former Brexit minister David Jones said Britain should suspend negotiations until the EU is prepared to talk sensibly about money and future trade terms.
Mr Mcdonnell claimed the Tories were fighting among themselves rather than negotiating with Brussels and said he was not willing to countenance a “no deal” outcome.
He expects that moves to guarantee a “meaningful vote” on the outcome of Brexit talks will secure a Commons majority.
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is notably absent from the Commons schedule for the week ahead, with the Government saying it wants to evaluate some 300 amendments and more than 50 new clauses proposed.