London — US billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has urged Britain to step up investment in science and research as it prepares to leave the EU. Speaking at a conference in London attended by more than 1,000 scientists, Gates pledged to continue his own investment in British research and innovation, despite economic uncertainties surrounding Brexit. "The world needs innovative leadership now more than ever," the Microsoft co-founder said. "The complexity of our most urgent global problems — extreme poverty, the persistence and spread of disease, feeding a growing world — requires that we invest in science and put our best minds to work on finding solutions," he said. "As the UK seeks to negotiate its exit from the EU, it is critical that the government steps up its investments in science and innovation if we are to meet the challenges of tomorrow — and grow the UK’s economy." Gates’s comments come amid fears that British science may suffer if projects lose European funding after Br...
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