Brexit would threaten world-class British research, major report warns

Report reveals how critical areas of research, and particular regions of the country, would fare should EU funding dry up

Great swaths of research under way in universities and businesses across the UK will come under threat should Britain leave the EU, according to a major report into the nation's finances.

Crucial work on cancer, computer systems, nanotechnology and engineering - areas where Britain claims world-class expertise - has become heavily reliant on EU grants, making the research highly vulnerable to the slump in support that Brexit could provoke.