Scottish life sciences firms have highlighted an early negative impact from Brexit on the £4.2billion sector – and warned of worse to come.
In an open letter revealing major concerns in an industry with a fast-growing cluster of companies in Aberdeen and a strong base in Inverness, the chairman of public-private sector partnership Life Science Scotland (LSS) said firms were opposed to any restrictions on highly-skilled talent entering Scotland.
David Tudor’s letter follows an LSS survey of the industry north of the border which showed Brexit uncertainty was already causing strife.
“There are concerns this will get worse,” Mr Tudor said, adding: “The Scottish life sciences sector employs 37,000 people across some 700 organisations. Companies in the sector contribute more than £4.2billion turnover and about £2billion gross value added to the Scottish economy, and the sector is growing at around 6% per annum. Our members have indicated that the uncertainty arising from the UK Government decision to leave the European Union is already having negative impacts . . . and the concern is that this is set to intensify.
“Our aim is to ensure that the Scottish life sciences sector continues to thrive and grow.
“We believe there is significant benefit in continued close partnership and collaboration with the EU for the benefit of patients and consumers globally.
“Companies want experts and life sciences managers from the EU and overseas to be able to enter the UK at least as easily as at present; we would have concerns over any restrictions.”