Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Researchers from Overseas

Wednesday 10 January 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Layla Moran asked the Minister about steps being taken to encourage overseas researchers and innovators to come to the UK.
  • Richard Foord inquired if the Home Office would confirm that research students arriving in the UK this year will be entitled to a period of post-study work.
  • Cherilyn Mackrory questioned what more is being done to attract the best talent from around the world into life sciences, particularly in Cornwall.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from the need to attract international talent in research and innovation.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to encourage overseas researchers and innovators to come to the UK?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

We have one of the strongest science bases, the world's leading universities and research institutions, and the largest ever public research and development budget. With our association with Horizon from the beginning of the year, we are central to global research collaboration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps being taken specifically with Cabinet colleagues were not detailed

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Q2 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Immigration
Context

The Migration Advisory Committee is reviewing the graduate immigration route, affecting post-study work rights.

Question

Will the Minister engage with the Home Office to confirm that research students who arrive in the UK this year will continue to be entitled to a period of post-study work?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

In keeping the UK an open and welcoming place to do international research, my colleagues and I regularly meet Home Office colleagues. The facts belie the hon. Gentleman's question: 41% of postgraduate research in the UK today is being conducted by researchers who have come from overseas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific engagement with the Home Office was not committed to explicitly

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Q3 Layla Moran Lib Dem Oxford West and Abingdon
Immigration Education
Context

A constituent's case of being forced to leave due to the spousal visa salary threshold despite taxpayer-funded education.

Question

Why are the Government using taxpayers' money to educate people to become highly qualified researchers if their immigration policy then forces them to leave?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

A fair immigration policy is absolutely part of an open Britain. It is right that those who come here from overseas and live cheek by jowl with those who clean their labs, drive their local buses and empty their bins do their fair share in contributing to the UK economy.

Not addressed: The question about why policies force highly qualified researchers to leave was not addressed

How: Cheek By Jowl

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Q4 Cherilyn Mackrory
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The question pertains to attracting global talent for a specific firm in Cornwall.

Question

What more is he doing to ensure that we can attract the very best talent from around the world into life sciences, even in Cornwall?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I would be delighted to visit the innovative firm in my hon. Friend's constituency. She will know about the global talent visa, which has seen a 76% rise in visas issued over the last year alone, welcoming the world's best scientists to Britain's science and technology superpower.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions for attracting talent were not detailed beyond mentioning the global talent visa

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