Does Britain Want World's Best Footballers, But Not Its Best Scientists?

It may be Nobel season in the rest of the world, but among Britain's scientists, it's protest week. On Saturday, a group called Science is Vital hopes to lead thousands of scientists in a London rally against cuts in research funding that are expected to be announced at the end of the month as part of a push to balance the United Kingdom's budget. And today, The Times carries a letter (subs. required) from British Nobel laureates, including incoming Royal Society President Paul Nurse, protesting immigration curbs on scientists and engineers that may be put in place next spring.

The Times reports:

Eight of Britain's Nobel laureates, including the two Russian migrants who won the physics prize on Tuesday, have written to the Times, to protest against visa curbs that would keep leading international researchers out of the country. The coalition's plan to limit migrant numbers from outside the European Union "would damage our ability to recruit the brightest young talent as well as distinguished scientists into our universities and industries", they say. The laureates call on ministers to adapt the cap to recognise the needs of science and industry, as they have already done for sport. "The Government has seen fit to introduce an exception to the rules for Premier League footballers," they say. "It is a sad reflection of our priorities as a nation if we cannot afford the same recognition for elite scientists and engineers."