MP concerned about effect of UK immigration cap on universities
July 09 2010 by Liam Clifford
Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy
Charles Kennedy, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for the government to mitigate the impact of its UK immigration cap on universities.
Kennedy, who himself is the rector of
Glasgow University, challenged the universities minister, David Willetts, during
Question Time. He said: "Given the government's policy on a cap on immigration,
you will be aware Universities UK and many others right across the sector are
worried about the impact this will have.”
He explained that ten per cent
of university staff in the UK are working on UK work visas and come from outside
the EU. He added that this accounted for 2,500 staff in Scotland alone. He
continued, "What can you do with colleagues in the Home Office to mitigate the
impact of this policy on the tertiary sector?”
Willetts assured Kennedy
that he was working alongside the Home Secretary on this matter and claimed that
the government had “reached a very sensible way forward.” He then asked for
universities that are facing particular problems as a result of the new UK
immigration restrictions, to come forward and make sure the Home Office is aware
of their situations.
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