Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
The pressures on the British research enterprise, perhaps models of troubles that could arise elsewhere, are made worse by the government's lack of policy. But things may be changing.
The British House of Commons seems bent on passing a bill to prevent some kinds of research. Here is a way in which embryologists and geneticists can help themselves and even help defeat the bill.
On Budget day, 19 March, the British government may announce it is to impose value added tax on publications. The proposal might be economically rational but should be resisted.
The involvement of prospective employers in sponsoring students in higher education can lead to improvement in courses in general, as well as benefiting individuals.
