A Nobel Prize-winning physicist has warned Boris Johnson not to take scientists ‘for fools’ after his pledge to turn Britain into a ‘science superpower.’
Professor Sir Andre Geim, was namechecked by Mr Johnson in the announcement for his discovery of graphene.
But he and other leading British scientists said leaving the EU would harm Britain’s status as one of the world’s scientific hubs.
He warned a No Deal exit would be even worse for the sector.
He told The Times: ‘The government may try and reduce the barriers to entry for scientists but they cannot reduce turmoil that would be caused to science in the UK by a no-deal Brexit.
Professor Sir Andre Geim, (pictured) was namechecked by Mr Johnson in the announcement for his discovery of graphene
Professor Sir Andre Geim, was namechecked by Mr Johnson in the announcement for his discovery of graphene (pictured)
The policy was announced in a live broadcast on Facebook Live from Downing Street (pictured)
‘Scientists are not fools. They know that turmoil is inevitable for many years.’
Sir Andre shared the Nobel prize for physics in 2010 with Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov.
But Sir Konstantin has already left Britain for Singapore, Sir Andrew revealed.
He added: ‘I think that tells you everything you need to know.’
In a marked shift in policy, Mr Johnson scrapped a cap on leading figures from science and medicine, engineering and the arts who want to come here to work
In a marked shift in policy, Mr Johnson scrapped a cap on leading figures from science and medicine, engineering and the arts who want to come here to work.
He has ordered officials to create a ‘fast track’ route to bring in the ‘best minds’ from overseas.
The policy was announced in a live broadcast on Facebook Live after the Prime Minister had visited the Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, which undertakes cutting edge research into power from nuclear fusion.
Mr Johnson said: ‘Britain has a proud history of innovation, with home-grown inventions spanning from the humble bicycle to the lightbulb.
‘We were home to the world’s first national DNA database, we discovered graphene, and our cutting-edge scientists should be proud to follow in the footsteps of titans like Ada Lovelace and Nobel Laureates Francis Crick and Peter Higgs.
‘But to ensure we continue to lead the way in the advancement of knowledge, we have to not only support the talent that we already have here, but also ensure our immigration system attracts the very best minds from around the world.’
The Prime Minister today visited the Culham Science Centre in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, which undertakes cutting edge research into power from nuclear fusion
Allies said Mr Johnson believed Theresa May had taken the ‘wrong message’ from the referendum result.
The Prime Minister believes the public want to ‘get control’ of low skilled migration but are in favour of those who are ‘exceptionally talented’ coming here to work.
Under existing rules there is a cap of 2,000 on the number of migrant workers who can come under the ‘exceptional talent’ scheme.
To qualify, they need endorsement from an elite body such as the Royal Society for science and medicine.
Mr Johnson will abolish the cap, meaning unlimited numbers will be allowed to apply, and expand the pool of universities and research bodies who can endorse candidates.
Mr Johnson (pictured today in Abingdon) said: ‘To ensure we continue to lead the way in the advancement of knowledge, we have to not only support the talent that we already have here, but also ensure our immigration system attracts the very best minds from around the world’
Mr Johnson (pictured today in Abingdon) also pledged to provide more funding for science and research institutions who have lost out on EU funding – and pay for any applications for EU cash which collapse if there is a No Deal Brexit
He said: ‘I want the UK to continue to be a global science superpower, and when we leave the EU we will support science and research’
Successful applicants will also be given an ‘accelerated’ path to settling in the UK and will be allowed to bring their families here. Their dependents will also be allowed to work.
Securing a visa will not require a job offer – and applicants will be given automatic approval if they pass a strict set of checks.
Mr Johnson also pledged to provide more funding for science and research institutions who have lost out on EU funding – and pay for any applications for EU cash which collapse if there is a No Deal Brexit.
He said: ‘I want the UK to continue to be a global science superpower, and when we leave the EU we will support science and research and ensure that, far from losing out, the scientific community has a huge opportunity to develop and export our innovation around the world.’
Last year one of the world’s leading research funds, the Wellcome Trust, has complained that foreign academics struggle to come to this country.
The Wellcome Trust, which grants more than £1bn for research each year, said the immigration system was ‘not up to scratch’ after a scientific summit was marred by visa barriers to delegates.
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman Ed Davey said: ‘If Boris Johnson really wanted to keep the UK at the forefront of global science he would abandon his plans to end free movement by crashing us out of the EU.
‘Johnson’s proposals today won’t come close to making up for the loss of free movement, which allows UK universities and businesses to attract the best scientists from elsewhere in the EU.
‘Brexit would also take away the rights of British scientists to study and work in other EU countries, preventing the international collaborations that drive innovation and discovery.’