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Scientists: Recruitment

Asked by Mr Angus MacDonaldLiberal DemocratDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 4 February 2026UIN 108570

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to support the retention and re-employment of UK scientists alongside plans to recruit scientists from overseas.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

The government is committed to ensuring universities and research institutions remain internationally competitive, with long-term career sustainability. DSIT has allocated £38.6 billion to UKRI over four years, including £14 billion for curiosity-driven research. DSIT supports talent at all career stages to help researchers build and sustain careers here, with over £5 billion of investment to attract and retain talent over four years. This includes government funding to train doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and deliver globally prestigious fellowship and professorship schemes through UKRI and the National Academies. The UK’s new Global Talent Fund has already announced eight leading researchers as successful awardees.

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