Summary
A leading UK scientist, Prof Sir Paul Nurse, criticizes the country's visa policies, saying high visa fees deter young researchers, which could hurt the UK economy. He suggests that countries like China and Singapore are attracting these talents, while the UK's immigration rules create unnecessary challenges.
Key Facts
- Prof Sir Paul Nurse is a Nobel prize-winning scientist and President of the Royal Society.
- He believes high visa costs discourage young researchers from working in the UK.
- Countries like China and Singapore are actively seeking international scientific talent.
- UK's visa applicants must pay a healthcare surcharge and show they have savings.
- This could put the UK's scientific future at risk by making science advancement challenging.
- A recent policy report suggests controlling overall immigration numbers, but agrees with making exceptions for scientists.
- The report indicates a large increase in immigration between 2021 and 2024 as a major demographic change.
- According to UK government data, only 323 visas for natural and social science jobs were issued in a recent quarter.
