[Sir Steve Smith, vice-chancellor of Exeter University] “The most successful knowledge economy is where people publish together with people in other countries. EU membership makes that immeasurably easier. Ultimately, it’s about the quality of the work.

“Even if you could make up the funding shortfall from leaving the EU, you would be running counter to the way the world knowledge economy is moving.”

Brexit would lead to ‘major funding blow to universities and science’