Engineering the Future (EtF) is an alliance of the UK’s professional engineering organisations representing over 450,000 engineers, of which around 20,000 are IChemE members working in the UK’s chemical and process industries or academia.
The report, Engineering a future outside the EU: securing the best outcome for the UK, draws on wide-ranging consultation with engineers from all sections of the profession, including academia, industry and the public sector. With engineering contributing at least £280 billion in gross value added to the economy – 20% of the total – the report flags up key issues that impact on the UK’s engineering capability as the government forms a view on the EU exit negotiations.
IChemE’s Director, Andrew Furlong said:“Our internal polling in March 2016 showed that a clear majority of our members would have preferred to remain within the EU. Nonetheless, IChemE respects the referendum decision. Brexit will impact on the entire STEM community in the UK and it's important that we speak to government with one voice. IChemE is fully supportive of EtF strategy. We welcome the report and will continue to play an active role in the conversation with policymakers.
“The negotiations have a long way to go and we will remain vigilant towards the emergence of any specific threats to the chemical engineering community. IChemE will maintain close contact with its members in industry, academia and in research. We will make additional representations based on firm evidence if necessary."
