May 12, 2025

expert reaction to Government White Paper on immigration

Scientists comment on R&D elements of the Government’s White Paper on immigration. 

Professor Andrew Morris CBE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

“The UK’s global leadership in health and biomedical research relies on our ability to attract and retain exceptional international talent. We welcome the white paper’s recognition that global competition for research talent is increasing and its commitment to enhancing opportunities for researchers through targeted routes, including making the Global Talent visa simpler and easier to access. But cost is also important – our visa system is one of the most expensive in the world and will remain a major impediment to attracting the best people.

“The Academy’s ‘Future-proofing UK Health Research’ report highlights how immigration policies directly impact our research competitiveness. As these reforms progress, we will continue to work constructively with Government to ensure changes are implemented in ways that sustain our research ecosystem and affirm that the UK remains a world-leading destination for scientific careers that power progress and economic growth.”

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said:

“Today’s white paper talks of making it simpler and easier for top scientific talent to come to the UK but our visa system remains one of the most expensive in the world and that is holding the UK back. Simpler and easier is good news but it is not enough – the costs have to come down if we want to attract the best talent.

“There is a lot of detail that still needs to be explored about the impact of any changes, in what is a complex system. We will be talking to the Government to find out exactly what their plans will mean in practice.”

Tom Grinyer, CEO of the Institute of Physics, said:

“We understand the need for reform but these proposals risk us cutting off urgently needed scientific and technological talent at a time when the need to keep up with global change has never been greater.

“The UK must continue to welcome international scientific talent both to work and to study if it is to keep its place as a leading science and technology nation – and deliver the growth our economy needs.

“Ensuring visas go to the right people is important but in looking to control migration, we must not undermine our research and innovation economy. The Institute of Physics welcomes incentives for skilled people to come through ‘high talent routes’ but we are very concerned that changes to salary thresholds and graduate eligibility could stop much-needed scientific talent and harm universities and businesses. We’re also concerned that the proposed levy on higher education providers will exacerbate the serious financial challenges these institutions are already facing.

“The Prime Minister rightly emphasises homegrown skills and sectors like engineering and AI, both powered by physics. But physics is an intensely international, collaborative field. The UK’s strength in the technologies on the future absolutely depends on attracting the right international talent to work alongside the UK’s own brilliant scientists and innovators.”

Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:

“Attracting talented scientists and researchers to the UK from around the world is vital for a thriving research sector that can contribute to economic growth. It is therefore welcome to see the Government’s recognition of the importance of the Global Talent route in the Immigration White Paper published today. It is also pleasing that CaSE recommendations on increasing uptake of the Global Talent Visa and streamlining the visa application process have been taken up. However, we will need to see the detail of these changes and work with the Government as they implement their plans.

“The white paper also includes changes to the rules governing student and graduate study visas. It is critical that the Government makes clear the work it has done to understand and mitigate the impact of these changes on the university sector given the current issues of financial sustainability.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper

Declared interests

The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.