Minister says UK needs 380,000 new researchers by 2027

Government is counting on attracting foreign R&D workers amid calls for reform of visa routes

The government has estimated the UK will need 380,000 new researchers within four years and is counting on attracting workers from abroad, despite concerns over its immigration policy.

Jonathan Berry, a minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said in the House of Lords on Wednesday that there are “roughly one million people today in this country working in R&D roles” but that due to retirement and a growing need for researchers “that number will have to increase by around 380,000” by 2027.