Since the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU on 23 June 2016, there have been a number of key developments relating to science policy and the UK's future negotiations with the EU. The summary below will be updated on a regular (monthly) basis.
- 28 June 2016: The British Pharmacological Society was a co-sponsor for the 2016 Parliamentary Links Day, an annual half-day of discussion in Westminster which strengthens dialogue between parliamentarians and around 200 individuals from across the scientific community. This year's focus was on 'Science after the referendum: What next?' and was attended by: Nicola Blackwood MP, Chair of the Science & Technology Committee; Jo Johnson MP, Minister for Universities and Science; Lord O'Neill, Commercial Secretary (HM Treasury); and other policymakers engaged in science policy. The topical discussions were reported by the media: for example, BBC, Times Higher Education and Buzzfeed.
- 28 June 2016: The House of Commons' Science & Technology Committee launched an urgent inquiry into 'Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research'. The Committee intends to hold hearings on this inquiry during July, and invites written submissions during that period. The British Pharmacological Society will be submitting evidence and members are invited to get involved with this activity.
- 28 June 2016: The First Minister of Scotland's Standing Council on Europe was announced. Its members include Dame Anne Glover, former chief scientific adviser to EU President Barosso.
- 28 June 2016: Nicola Blackwood MP as Chair of the Commons’ Science & Technology Committee wrote to the Chancellor about protecting and promoting science after the referendum.
- 30 June 2016: Jo Johnson MP, Minister for Universities and Science, spoke at an event at the Wellcome Trust about 'Leading the world in the new age of global science'. The text from his speech has been published online.
- 11 July 2016: Statement from George Freeman MP as Minister for Life Science on a new relationship with the European Union and the UK's commitment to the life science sector.
- 14-17 July 2016: Reshuffle of ministerial positions included the creation of new Secretary of State for Exiting the EU.
- 26 July 2016: The British Pharmacological Society participated in discussion event led by the Royal Society of Biology on ‘Priorities and strategy in relation to Brexit negotiations’.
- 17 August 2016: The British Pharmacological Society attended Campaign for Science and E ngineering (CaSE) discussion forum on Science, Engineering & Brexit hosted by Imperial College London.
- 31 August 2016: Letter from Jo Johnson MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, BEIS to the Earl of Selborne, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee on the future of Innovate UK.
- 6 September 2016: The British Pharmacological Society attended a discussion meeting with George Freeman MP on "How should Scientists cope with Brexit?" at the Portcullis House.
- 20 September 2016: The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the BioIndustry Association (BIA) in support from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) published the UK EU Steering Group Report, the collective response of the UK Life Sciences sector to the Government’s request to understand how to maintain and grow the context of leaving the EU.
- 10 October 2016: Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, made a statement in the House of Commons on the next steps in leaving the European Union. Keir Starmer, Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, responded on behalf of the Opposition. MPs debated parliamentary scrutiny of the UK leaving the EU in the House of Commons on Wednesday 12 October 2016.
- 26 October 2016: The House of Commons' Science and Technology Committee holds an oral evidence hearing session on Leaving the EU: implications and opportunities for science and research inqury.
- 3 November 2016: A debate entitled “Potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on funding for universities and research” was held in the House of Lords.