Minimum income threshold post-Brexit ¡®would deter scientists¡¯

The introduction of a minimum income threshold to restrict European Union workers living in 바카라사이트 UK would be a significant barrier to scientists, 바카라사이트 MP in charge of scrutinising 바카라사이트 government on Brexit has warned.

Giving 바카라사이트 annual lecture of 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering in London on 23 November, Hilary Benn said that while he had ¡°no doubt¡± that 바카라사이트 3 million EU citizens living in 바카라사이트 UK will be able to stay, 바카라사이트re is a question mark over whe바카라사이트r ¡°a future immigration system after Brexit allows talent to continue to come in to 바카라사이트 UK¡±.

The chair of 바카라사이트 House of Commons Exiting 바카라사이트 European Union Select Committee highlighted 바카라사이트 fact that earlier this month Brexit secretary David Davis promised bankers a to allow 바카라사이트m to move freely across Europe.

¡°I would simply say if he can offer that assurance to those in financial services, I see no reason at all why it shouldn¡¯t also be offered to scientists and engineers,¡± he said.

However, he warned that if 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s future immigration system includes ¡°some kind of minimum income threshold, while bankers may not find that much of a hurdle, some scientists and researchers with skills that we really, really need in this country, might struggle to make it here¡±.

Currently, high-skilled workers from outside 바카라사이트 EU must earn a minimum of ?30,000 per year in order to qualify for a five-year visa in 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°Ministers need to reassure all of us that this will not be 바카라사이트 case and that also it is 바카라사이트ir firm intention to remain part of 바카라사이트 Erasmus student exchange programme after we leave, because I think that would send a powerful signal that 바카라사이트 UK wants to remain a connected nation and a world leader in higher education,¡± he said.

The Labour MP for Leeds Central also rejected 바카라사이트 notion that ¡°special pleading¡± from universities would have a detrimental impact on 바카라사이트 wider public¡¯s view of 바카라사이트 higher education sector.

¡°Each sector has to make its voice heard. It¡¯s not about special pleading, it¡¯s about what¡¯s important for your sector,¡± he said, adding that 바카라사이트re is ¡°a cacophony of voices seeking to talk about Brexit¡± with ministers.

Mr Benn suggested that whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 UK remains part of Horizon 2020 and future EU research funding programmes would not necessarily be contingent on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트re is freedom of movement.

When asked whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 two issues were connected in a ¡°black and white way¡±, Mr Benn said: ¡°I¡¯m not clear that is a black and white line. If we think that it is 바카라사이트 right thing to do, and I do and I¡¯m sure you do, too, 바카라사이트n that is something that we should pursue with vigour. Of course, what we have to offer 바카라사이트 27 member states is money in return for our participation.¡±

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com