When Boris Johnson agreed the Brexit divorce package with the EU, he promised it would unleash innovation, turning Britain into an agile “science superpower”. But rather than boost UK science and technology, Brexit has – so far – damaged it,

Sir Richard Branson has blamed growing post-Brexit red tape for Britain's poor economic growth, saying he wouldn't "invest new money" in the country with the way things are at present.

One of the UK’s most promising science-based start-ups has threatened to leave the country over what its boss called political “paralysis” and a lack of clarity in national industrial strategy.

The UK government has launched a scaleup visa for businesses to sponsor high-skill tech workers for a two-year stay to encourage more talent into the country and plug the digital skills gap.

The Brexit effect is easy to see in UK universities. A continuing failure to agree UK association with the Horizon Europe research programme has put eligibility to conduct EU-funded research in the UK in a precarious position, undermining international collaborations and prompting some academics to relocate to the mainland.

One consequence of Brexit closed a financing source to UK start-ups on 1 Feb. – but access could re-open if a UK and EU trade deal includes Horizon Europe participation.

BREXIT uncertainty coupled with data protection pressures have led to a 15 per cent drop in the number of small and medium-sized businesses recorded as accessing free help such as advice and workshops last year.

"Would London lose out to Barcelona or Berlin or Stockholm or Amsterdam? The answer to those questions is a resounding "yes." Even smaller European tech hubs are taking talent out of London."

Sup joins many other UK startups impacted by Brexit.