Nobel laureates urge rethink over immigration cap

Policy threatens UK's position as a centre of scientific excellence, eight Nobel prize-winning academics warn
Nobel prize for physics winners Konstantin Novoselov (left) and Andre Geim
Physicists Konstantin Novoselov (left) and Andre Geim of Manchester University, who won the 2010 Nobel prize for physics for the creation of graphene. Photograph: University of Manchester/EPA

The Government's cap on immigration threatens the UK's position as a centre of scientific excellence, eight Nobel prize-winning academics warn today.

The researchers, including the two Russians migrants who won the prize for physics on Tuesday, said that the best talent would be potentially barred from the UK by new restrictions to visa applications.

They warned the plans to curtail the number of migrants coming to Britain from outside the European Union "would damage our ability to recruit the brightest young talent as well as distinguished scientists into our universities and industries".

The laureates said ministers should make changes to the cap in order to recognise the need to recruit leading lights in science and industry. Such changes have already been made for sport.

In a letter to the Times, the academics wrote: "The Government has seen fit to introduce an exception to the rules for Premier League footballers. It is a sad reflection of our priorities as a nation if we cannot afford the same recognition for elite scientists and engineers."

The cap of 24,100 work visas for non-EU citizens, introduced in June, was a plank of the Conservative election manifesto.

It will be replaced by permanent measures next April, but Vince Cable has already said it could do "huge damage" to business and science. He was backed by the CBI, the Royal Society, and university vice-chancellors.

The letter is signed by eight of the 11 living British or British-based scientists to win a science Nobel since 1996.

They include Professor Andre Geim and Professor Konstantin Novoselov, from the University of Manchester, who invented graphene, the world's thinnest material which is 200 times stronger than steel.

The scientists were awarded the Nobel prize for physics on Tuesday for their invention which is expected to revolutionise the production of everything from touch sensitive screens to aircraft and satellites.

Novoselov, a professor of physics at Manchester University, said earlier this week that the country risks losing senior figures and rising stars in science if funding cuts materialise in the government's spending review.

"Without money we won't be able to attract good people here," Novoselov told the Guardian. "The impact is going to be that good scientists will go abroad, especially the young people."

The other signatories are Sir Paul Nurse, Sir Tim Hunt, Sir Martin Evans, Sir Harry Kroto, Sir John Walker and Sir John Sulston.

The letter adds: "International collaborations underlie 40% of the UK's scientific output, but would become far more difficult if we were to constrict our borders.

"The UK produces nearly 10% of the world's scientific output with only 1% of its population; we punch above our weight because we can engage with excellence wherever it occurs.

"The UK must not isolate itself from the increasingly globalised world of research - British science depends on it."

Speaking to The Times, Prof Novoselov said that he may have decided to work elsewhere had there been a delay with his visa.

He said: "The visa system was helpful to me when I came here, but it is now a disincentive to scientists who might consider the UK."

Prof Giem added: "It would create a smaller pool of quality people, so yes, I think we will suffer from this."