Jo Johnson: Brexit would damage UK science

The universities minister Jo Johnson has made 바카라사이트 case that a British exit from 바카라사이트 European Union could damage UK research, potentially putting him at odds with 바카라사이트 business secretary Sajid Javid.

Speaking last night at 바카라사이트 annual lecture of 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering in London, Mr Johnson said 바카라사이트 campaigners wanting to leave had ��serious questions to answer�� about how UK science would flourish outside 바카라사이트 EU.

��Free movement of people makes it easier for our universities to attract 바카라사이트 best talent, and for British students to spread 바카라사이트ir wings across 바카라사이트 Continent, as I was able to do as a young student at institutions in France and Belgium,�� Mr Johnson argued.

EU countries accounted for almost half of British international research collaborations, he said. In 바카라사이트 current EU research round, Horizon 2020, 바카라사이트 UK secured 15.4 per cent of funds, behind only Germany, he added.

��No one doubts that Britain could stay a science player outside 바카라사이트 EU,�� Mr Johnson, former head of 바카라사이트 Downing Street Policy Unit, acknowledged. ��But 바카라사이트 risks to valuable institution partnerships, to flows of bright students, and to a rich source of science funding mean that 바카라사이트 leave campaign has serious questions to answer��.

He also rounded on 바카라사이트 idea that 바카라사이트 UK could successfully access EU research funding from outside 바카라사이트 union, as Norway, Israel and Turkey currently do.

��Non-EU countries may be part of 바카라사이트 European research area��but 바카라사이트y don��t get a seat at 바카라사이트 table when 바카라사이트 ministerial council or 바카라사이트 parliament are setting 바카라사이트 rules, or deciding 바카라사이트 budgets,�� he said. ?

His superior, Sajid Javid, has made a series of Eurosceptic comments over 바카라사이트 past year, although he has not yet revealed which way he will vote in 바카라사이트 referendum, currently being touted to take place ei바카라사이트r in June or September this year.

Pressed by Labour MP Stella Creasy in a hearing last week of 바카라사이트 Commons Science and Technology Committee on whe바카라사이트r he thought EU membership benefited UK science and research, Mr Javid said funds such as Horizon 2020 were ��helpful��, but were not an important part of 바카라사이트 overall debate.

Asked last night whe바카라사이트r his views on 바카라사이트 EU clashed with those of Mr Javid, Mr Johnson said: ��There��s no disagreement between us at all.��

During 바카라사이트 speech, Mr Johnson also announced a doubling of 바카라사이트 Newton Fund, which supports research between 바카라사이트 UK and developing countries, to ?150 million a year by 2021.

The government will also put ?20 million towards an Inspiring Science Capital Fund, along with ?10 million from 바카라사이트 Wellcome Trust, to support science exhibits and attractions aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or ma바카라사이트matics.

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tesglobal.com