Is the UK suffering a “brain drain” in the space sector? - Lords committee to quiz experts

Today, Monday June 16, 2025, the cross-party House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee will quiz experts on how skills gaps in the UK space sector can be addressed. 

This is the latest evidence session being held as part of a wide-ranging inquiry into the UK's role in space and the space economy.  

At 3:35pm, the committee will hear from: 

Dr Joanna Hart, Director at Space Partnership 

Professor Martin Barstow, Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science at University of Leicester 

At 4:35pm, from: 

Professor Lucy Berthoud, Professor of Space Engineering at University of Bristol 

Dr. Heidi Thiemann, Director at Space Skills Alliance  

The session will take place in Committee Room 2 and can be watched live or later on Parliament TV. 

The committee, chaired by Baroness Ashton, will publish its report to Government later this year. 

Questions likely to be raised at the session are: 

• How strong are the relationships between academia, industry, and government in the space sector?   

• Is there a skills gap in the space sector, and how can it be addressed?   

• Is the UK at risk of "brain drain" in the space sector? 

• Are the government's immigration rules an impediment to the growth of the space sector?