RCUK welcomes changes to immigration rules

Research Councils UK (UK) welcomes the announcement of changes, made today (29th February) by the Home Office, to the immigration rules, which will benefit UK research and their contribution to the economy.

Changes that we specifically welcome include:

• The exemption of those in specified PhD level occupations from the Tier 2 minimum settlement pay threshold of £35,000.
• The retention of the 24 months leave for Government Authorised Exchanges (Tier 5) covering research, fellowships and training schemes in the fields of science and medicine.
• The new route for permitted paid engagements under the visitor rules which will allow a limited group of professionals, including visiting lecturers and examiners, to come to the UK
• The early introduction of these changes from April 2012

RCUK provided input to the Home Office consultation and worked with other sector organisations including Universities UK, the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust to highlight concerns about the original proposals . We will continue to raise concerns about other areas, not included in the announcement, which have the potential to detrimentally impact on UK research.

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Further information

Contact:
Alexandra Saxon
RCUK Head of Communications
Tel: 01793 444592 or email: alexandra.saxon@rcuk.ac.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Home Office Announcement relating to the changes can be found here.

2. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
   • Medical Research Council (MRC);
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).