British pharmaceutical companies say they are facing a skills shortage in a new report. According to Reuters, the companies add that this shortage could affect investment in and success of the UK life sciences sector.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry says that firms could seek workers from abroad because of the dearth of job candidates with the needed biology and math skills.
Reuters notes that the report comes on the heels of a warning from MPs on the House of Commons science and technology committee that if science spending isn't protected, then Britain's role as a 'science superpower' could erode. The committee noted that the Britain spends 1.7 percent of its gross domestic product on science and research, as compared to the 2.8 percent and 2.9 percent spent by the US and Germany, respectively.