Brexit breakthrough helps universities in short term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Universities have welcomed the breakthrough in negotiations between the United Kingdom government and the European Union in phase one of the exit deal, agreed on Friday, because of its positive impact on universities.

The deal still requires the backing of the European Council, which will meet on Thursday, if the next phase of negotiations are to begin.

A key development for universities is the agreement that EU citizens currently living in the UK and vice versa will have their rights to live, work and study protected. The deal includes the right of relatives and long-term partners who do not live in the UK to join them there in future.

This measure ends the current uncertainty for 46,000 EU citizens working at UK universities and UK citizens working at universities elsewhere in the EU.

The deal also allows people who have acquired permanent residence rights in the UK to be absent from its territory for up to five years without losing their residence rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, which gives important leeway for academics and researchers working abroad for any period of time. The same applies to UK citizens with permanent residence rights in EU countries.

In addition, the agreement on a financial settlement – likely to be between £35 billion and £39 billion (US$47 billion and US$52 billion), including budget contributions during a two-year transition period starting from the date of withdrawal in March 2019 – provides for continued UK participation in programmes of the current Multiannual Financial Framework until their closure, in effect throughout 2019 and 2020.

This includes UK participation in Horizon 2020, the EU’s flagship research programme, and Erasmus+, the EU’s scheme for study, volunteering and working abroad for students and academics.

Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “It is welcome news that an agreement has finally been reached on citizens’ rights, which has long been universities’ first priority for Brexit negotiations. Today’s announcement means that EU nationals working across the UK university sector have clarity that they can remain and work in the UK and gain settled status.

“We also welcome the confirmation that people with settled status will be able to spend up to five consecutive years outside the UK without losing this status.”

He also said it was positive news that the budget settlement reached “means that UK universities, students and researchers will continue to be able to participate in valuable programmes such as Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ until at least the end date of current programmes”.

Phase two talks hugely important

But Jarvis warned that phase two of the negotiations would be hugely important for universities.

“Universities UK will continue to work with the UK government and officials in Brussels to secure an effective post-exit settlement for universities. To ensure universities can deliver maximum impact post-exit, this should include negotiating access to the next European research and innovation programme (FP9) and to the Erasmus+ mobility programme,” he said.

“Developing a post-exit immigration system, with minimal barriers to allow talented European staff and students to work and study in the UK, is a priority.”

Dr Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of the Russell Group of elite research universities, said confirmation that the withdrawal agreement will apply to all those arriving in the UK until the point of exit is helpful, as is the stipulation that people with settled status can spend up to five consecutive years outside of the country without losing this status.

“This will help ensure future academic collaboration with international partners is not undermined. We would encourage the government to put the terms of the agreement on citizens’ rights into UK law as soon as possible,” he said.

He said the indication that the UK will continue as full participants in Horizon 2020, Erasmus+ and other EU programmes until the end of the current budget periods was a “big step forward”.

But he also wants to see quick progress in the phase two negotiations to secure “an ambitious deal on research” that helps the UK build on the close relationships that have been developed over the past 40 years.

“A comprehensive agreement on science that ensures joint working can continue for the long term would be a win-win for the UK and the EU,” he said.