Visa Income Thresholds Universities 2024-01-15
2024-01-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The proposed changes to visa income thresholds are being assessed for their potential impact on the university sector, particularly in attracting international talent.
What assessment has been made of the potential impact of proposed changes to visa income thresholds on the university sector?
We have balanced economic growth, labour market needs with reducing immigration levels. Analytical work across government supports our decisions. A regulatory impact assessment will be developed in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific impacts on the university sector were not addressed, and no concrete measures to mitigate negative effects were provided.
Under Review
Analytical Work Across Government
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim, has expressed concern that changes to the Government's visa income threshold could affect universities' ability to attract global talent. International students and academics contribute £5 billion annually to the Scottish economy.
The director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim, has expressed concern that changes to the Government's visa income threshold could affect universities' ability to attract global talent. International students and academics make a contribution in excess of £5 billion annually to the Scottish economy. If the Government recognise the contribution of international students and academics, as they say they do, why are they introducing a policy that threatens to prevent future cohorts of them from making a similar contribution?
Individuals will still be able to make a valid contribution in the years ahead, but in a sustainable and managed way. There are no immediate plans to introduce further exemptions to the increased salary threshold, but the salary discounts remain in place. We will continue to engage as the measures are introduced. At every opportunity, we should be trying to support domestic recruitment wherever we can.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for specific exemptions or changes to the policy to protect future cohorts of international students and academics, which was not directly addressed.
No Immediate Plans
Sustainable Way
Response accuracy