UK urged to ‘welcome foreign talent’
28 Jan 2016
To maintain its position as a leading hub for science and engineering, the UK must present a more balanced approach to immigration, a new reports suggests.
The report, presented to the House of Lords this week by the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), calls into question the government’s current immigration policy, suggesting the UK’s future economic and scientific success is at risk.
According to the report, complex rules, unclear guidance, and bureaucracy are making immigration increasingly difficult for economically-valuable workers.
Indeed, though evidence gathered by CaSE highlights the “significant economic contribution” made by migrant scientists and engineers, almost 2,500 applications were rejected in June and July last year, including those made by 66 engineers, figures released by the Home Office suggest.
If Britain is to maintain its status as a world leader in science and engineering, we should welcome foreign talent,”
IChemE director of communications Andrew Furlong
The report calls for the immigration cap for skilled workers, which is currently set at 20,700 visas per year, to be scrapped.
“If Britain is to maintain its status as a world leader in science and engineering, we should welcome foreign talent,” said IChemE director of communications Andrew Furlong, who formed part of a panel discussion at the report’s launch.
“[The] IChemE is calling on politicians to do three things. First, stop pandering to the prejudice stirred up by some sections of the press. Second, strip much of the complexity and bureaucracy from our immigration system, and third, bear in mind that major engineering projects take time.”
As part of its contribution to the report, the IChemE raised concerns over skills shortages and highlighted the benefits of immigration for chemical engineering firms in the UK.
IChemE policy manager Alana Collis said: “Many flagship British companies owe their success to migrant workers and rely on international skills and trade.
“Companies choose to locate their operations in the UK in order to tap into British skills and expertise, but the choice is rarely just about British workers. The free movement of foreign labour is also important – both in terms of skilled engineers in the company but also skilled and unskilled jobs in the supply chain.”
