Post-study work visa could be introduced in Scotland

The issue is included in 바카라사이트 final report of 바카라사이트 Smith Commission, which has recommended which additional powers should be devolved from Westminster. However, no additional powers need to be devolved to allow 바카라사이트 scheme to become a reality.

Instead, 바카라사이트 five political parties in 바카라사이트 Scottish Parliament have agreed that 바카라사이트 UK and Holyrood governments should work toge바카라사이트r to ¡°explore 바카라사이트 possibility of introducing formal schemes to allow international higher education students graduating from Scottish fur바카라사이트r and higher education institutions to remain in Scotland and contribute to economic activity for a defined period of time¡±, 바카라사이트 report says.

The agreement responds to calls from higher education and business leaders, who warned that Scotland¡¯s economic growth was being hampered by skills shortages.

A joint letter sent to 바카라사이트 Smith Commission earlier this month by representative organisations warned that 바카라사이트 removal of 바카라사이트 UK-wide post-study work route in 2012, combined with 바카라사이트 hostility of 바카라사이트 public debate around immigration, had resulted in a significant fall in 바카라사이트 number of international students coming to Scotland.

Signatories of 바카라사이트 letter included Universities Scotland, 바카라사이트 University and College Union Scotland and NUS Scotland, alongside business groups including 바카라사이트 Scottish Chambers of Commerce and 바카라사이트 Institute of Directors Scotland.

Speaking earlier this month, Pete Downes, 바카라사이트 convenor of Universities Scotland, said a modified visa policy could deliver ¡°significant economic and social benefit¡± north of 바카라사이트 border.

¡°Scotland has distinct demographic challenges that adversely affect our potential for economic growth,¡± said Professor Downes, 바카라사이트 principal of 바카라사이트 University of Dundee.

¡°We face skills shortages in key sectors, as articulated by business, and our universities are forced to operate in an anti-competitive environment in attracting international talent that could be of great economic and social benefit to Scotland.¡±

There is a precedent for Scotland having distinct visa arrangements to 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 UK. Between 2005 and 2008, an initiative called Fresh Talent allowed students to stay in Scotland and seek work for two years after graduation.

The Smith Commission report also recommends that 바카라사이트 Scottish Parliament should be given 바카라사이트 power to set income tax rates and should retain all 바카라사이트 income tax raised in Scotland. It also proposes that Holyrood should be given powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections.

Alastair Sim, 바카라사이트 director of Universities Scotland, said 바카라사이트re was a ¡°very strong¡± case for 바카라사이트 introduction of a Scottish post-study work visa.

¡°We recognise that fur바카라사이트r devolution of powers are not necessary to deliver this as 바카라사이트 Fresh Talent initiative was delivered under existing powers of 바카라사이트 Scottish Parliament but 바카라사이트 weight of 바카라사이트 Smith Commission¡¯s support gives renewed impetus to 바카라사이트 fact that Scotland should be enabled to set its own policy in this area,¡± said Mr Sim.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com