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Top UK scientist says research visa restrictions endanger economy
Sir Paul Nurse warns that high visa fees and strict rules deter top researchers, risking UK scientific leadership as only 323 science visas were issued last quarter, Home Office data shows.
- Prof Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, told BBC News that high visa fees deter early-career researchers, who are instead welcomed by economic rivals China and Singapore.
- The visa system requires scientists to pay an annual Immigration Health Surcharge and prove they have thousands in savings, reflecting Home Office guidance to show support without public funds.
- Home Office data show 323 people received a visa for natural and social science jobs in the last quarter, and Prof Sir Paul Nurse said, `Having expensive visa costs is shooting yourself in the foot.`
- He described the UK science base as "fragile" due to visa costs and funding pressures, questioning ministers if policy places hurdles on those driving the economy.
- Supporters say higher visa costs fund the NHS, while the Centre for Policy Studies and Karl Williams argue net migration should return to the 'tens of thousands' after the wave between 2021 and 2024, with Williams saying `if you doubled that, that wouldn't make a huge difference to the overall migration numbers.
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Professor Sir Paul Nurse, a distinguished Nobel laureate and prominent UK scientist, has issued a strong warning regarding the country's strict visa policies for researchers, assuring that current restrictions are actively undermining economic prosperity. His assessment highlights a critical self-infected poor, suggesting that the nation's ability to attract and maintain top scientific talent is being severely [...]
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Total News Sources3
Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources are Center
100% Center
C 100%
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