Immigration cap causes concern for scientists

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At a gathering of the science community on Friday, Julian Huppert MP described the government's refusal to exempt scientists from the immigration cap as "perverse".

Speaking at the Babraham Institute's Bioenterprise Lecture 2010, Huppert decried the decision by the coalition not to provide a special exemption for scientists.

Huppert said: "It is going to be very, very hard for skilled scientists to be employed in the UK. Science organisations, such as the Babraham Institute, are leading internationally and work on a global scale."

Speaking exclusively to ePolitix.com, Huppert went on to say:

"The immigration cap, which would restrict the number of skilled people able to come to the UK, will have a deleterious affect on the ability of companies to hire the best candidates from around the world."

"I think this should be changed to enable people with scientific skills to come to the UK. It is astonishing that there is to be a special exemption for elite sportspeople and ministers of religion, but not scientists," he continued.

Huppert's concerns over the immigration cap were echoed by the director of the Babraham Institute, Michael Wakelam.

"This blanket, unthinking ban is not helpful and may cause the scientific community serious problems," Wakelam said.

However, Huppert was eager to outline the positive steps that the coalition has taken in improving relations with the science community.

He noted the protection of the science budget in the CSR, following a last-minute intervention from deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, and moves to provide more money for technology and innovation centres.

Following the lecture, presented by Sir Gregory Winter CBE, FRS and entitled 'Therapeutic Antibodies: wherever next?', the Institute's new bioincubator building was opened.

Huppert said the building, known as Maia, was a great example of "the energy of the Babraham Institute".

Maia, to be used primarily by early-stage biotech start-ups, was described by Derek Jones, CEO of Babraham Bioscience Technologies, as "part of our new strategy for moving forward as an organisation".

Jones said: "We try not to think of the companies here as tenants, and hopefully the companies don't view us as a landlord. We try to create a community."

The Bioenterprise Lecture, 'Therapeutic Antibodies: wherever next?', was presented by Sir Gregory Winter CBE, FRS.

Please view an exclusive ePolitix.com interview with Derek Jones, ceo of Babraham Bioscience Technologies, and Michael Wakelam, director of the Babraham Institute.

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