Brexit: EU rules 'out of the question' for UK says Menon
The proposed cuts of 20 to 25 percent would see hundreds of jobs slashed at the MHRA, which regulates drugs and medical equipment in the country. Trade unions have rallied against the budget cuts, warning some 300 staff at the 1,200-strong agency would get the sack. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also been told cuts to the MHRA threaten to destabilise the UK's status as a world leader in medical regulation.
Related articles
The warning comes amid the Government's controversial decision to hike National Insurance to cover the cost of social care - see if your MP voted in favour here.
At least five trade unions have rallied against the decision to cut the MHRA budget, including Prospect and Unite.
In an open letter penned to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, unionists warned the decision will see fewer staff "asked to cover more ground with fewer resources, all while operating under a pay freeze".
The unions also warned the UK risks seeing long delays in the approval of new medicines and the MHRA could be "reduced to effectively 'rubber stamping' EU regulatory decisions".
READ MORE:Â Pfizer breakthrough with Covid wonder pill one step closer
Mike Clancy, president of the Prospect Union, told PMLiVE: "If you want to lead the world it takes investment.
"The UK’s place as a world leader in medical regulation and our ambitions to be a ‘science superpower’ will be severely damaged if the government doesn’t prevent this loss of talented staff who have done so much for the country in recent months."
The decision to cut the MHRA's budget has been attributed to the fallout caused by Brexit.
Following Britain's historic departure from the European Union, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) moved its headquarters from London to Amsterdam.
And as a result of Brexit, the MHRA has lost millions of pounds in European funding.
Nicola Sturgeon launches blistering Brexit attack
Senior members of the MHRA expressed their concerns about the "emerging narrative" surrounding the agency's future earlier this summer.