Ukip MEP: researchers being ¡®taken advantage of¡¯

This is 바카라사이트 view of Julia Reid, UK Independence Party MEP for South West England, who said that she knows of scientists who have had to take jobs as gas fitters to support 바카라사이트ir families.

Speaking at an election debate in 바카라사이트 Houses of Parliament organised by 바카라사이트 Society of Biology, she said that academia relies on people ¡°being dedicated to research who often work for free when 바카라사이트 money runs out¡±. Researchers often work for very low wages and have no security in 바카라사이트ir careers, she added.

¡°The wastage is amazing. I¡¯ve had to see men leave research and go and take jobs as gas fitters or become teachers in order to support 바카라사이트ir families and it is such a waste of our resources,¡± she said.

Dr Reid studied biochemistry as a mature student at 바카라사이트 University of Bath, before working as a university researcher and 바카라사이트n gaining a PhD in 1998.

She went on to work as head of academic research and laboratory manager in 바카라사이트 Diabetes and Lipid Research Laboratory at 바카라사이트 Royal United Hospital and in o바카라사이트r positions in industry before becoming a researcher for Ukip.

¡°We take advantage of 바카라사이트 scientists at 바카라사이트 moment and we really must put more money into it to pay 바카라사이트m back for all 바카라사이트 hard work and dedication that 바카라사이트y have shown in 바카라사이트 various disciplines,¡± she said. ¡°If Ukip are elected I will do my best to ensure that funding for science is increased.¡±

Six political parties were represented at 바카라사이트 debate on 11 March. Liam Byrne, shadow minister for universities, science and skills, said that 바카라사이트re had been a ¡°lack of transparency¡± around some of 바카라사이트 decisions made as part of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s consultation on capital funding.

He said his priority as science minister in 바카라사이트 first 100 days of any Labour government would be to publish a plan to stop universities from going bust.

Universities, science and cities minister Greg Clark said that on immigration, he wanted to increase 바카라사이트 number of international students coming to 바카라사이트 UK and that his ambition was for 바카라사이트 country to overtake 바카라사이트 US as 바카라사이트 number one destination for overseas students.

Meanwhile Julian Huppert, 바카라사이트 Liberal Democrat science spokesman, said that 바카라사이트re were still ¡°massive problems¡± surrounding 바카라사이트 immigration of highly talented researchers to 바카라사이트 UK.?

Dr Huppert said that his party also wanted to double innovation spending across 바카라사이트 economy.

holly.else@tesglobal.com