University leaders warn against No Deal as vital research comes under threat

University leaders have written to politicians and government to warn of the risks for research, staff and students if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. In an open letter to MPs, Universities UK, the Russell Group, Guild HE, Million Plus and University Alliance - which collectively represent more than 150 higher education providers across the UK - say the impact of a no deal scenario could lead to "an academic, cultural and scientific setback from which it would take decades to recover". The letter states: "Our 50,000 EU staff and 130,000 EU students, not to mention the 15,000 UK students studying in Europe, are starting the new year facing significant uncertainty about their futures. "Vital research links will be compromised, from new cancer treatments to technologies combatting climate change. The valuable exchange of students, staff and knowledge would be seriously damaged. And we share the concerns of business about the impact of no deal on everything from supply chains to security and travel." In their letter, the university leaders say the government needs to "demonstrate the required ambition, put the right measures and guarantees in place, and, crucially, avoid the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal on 29 March". As a matter of urgency, they call for a guarantee that research funding from which the UK may be excluded at the end of March will be replaced.