Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the result of the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, how they plan to ensure that UK universities and research institutions do not face barriers to international research co-operation.

The UK has a long established system that supports and attracts the brightest minds, at all stages of their careers. We fund excellent science wherever it is found and ensure there is the freedom to tackle important scientific questions.

While the UK remains a member of the EU, current EU arrangements continue unchanged, including those that apply to students, researchers, and businesses. We remain fully open to scientists and researchers from across the EU. We hugely value the contribution of EU and international staff and there are no immediate changes to their rights to live and work in the UK.