STEM community responds to new immigration proposals

Senior figures from the world of science and engineering last week called for further consultation on the Government’s immigration proposals to limit the number of skilled immigrants entering the country, warning that such changes could damage the UK’s science and engineering base.

CaSE has written to the Immigration Minister Mark Harper raising concerns over the proposed ‘sunset clause’ – the automatic removal of any occupation from the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).

The occupations currently listed on the SOL include a large number of scientific and engineering positions which have been deemed strategically vital to the UK, and we are worried that two years will not allow enough time to develop the skilled UK workforce needed to fill these positions.

The letter is supported by a further twenty-two senior individuals and institutions from across the science and engineering community and CaSE’s membership, and has been forwarded to the Science Minister and the Home Secretary.