The Science and Technology Committee of the House of Lords has called on the government to reconsider the tightening of visa rules for students, as the UK in the current environment can hardly compete with other countries for STEM talents.
The committee called the current visa policy "an act of national self-harm", as it "erects barriers" for graduate and doctoral students, young researchers and aspiring professionals in the field of science and technology who want to work and study in the UK.
"We have long had concerns about the impact of the UK immigration system on its ability to attract STEM talent," the letter says, which also highlights the high initial cost of a visa and the medical supplement as additional constraints.International students, who pay 43% of the tuition fee in the UK, thus subsidize the work of faculties and research. The reduction in funding is felt most acutely in expensive areas of study and research.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, however, replied that it had no plans to make exceptions for natural sciences and technical specialties. According to the representative of the department, the UK "needs to reduce dependence on foreign labor and stimulate its own economic growth."
Source: The PIE
