Immigration reforms must support UK life sciences
In a week that has seen a Global Talent visa launched, the ABPI has welcomed the Government’s ambition to build a future immigration system which supports the UK’s thriving life sciences sector.
The Migration Advisory Committee clearly recognises the importance of science jobs in a potential points-based immigration system. There is now a clear opportunity to build a system which lets our members recruit the experts they need, wherever they’re from. Andrew Croydon
Today’s announcement from the Migration Advisory Committee provides a further opportunity to change immigration laws to keep UK life sciences accessible to global experts, with fairer rules for talented people coming into the country.
Andrew Croydon, Director of Skills & Education Policy at the ABPI, said:
“The Government has set out its ambition to make the UK a global hub for life sciences.
“The new Global Talent visa is a great example of the type of thinking needed to make that a reality. The Migration Advisory Committee clearly recognises the importance of science jobs in a potential points-based immigration system.
“There is now a clear opportunity to build a system which lets our members recruit the experts they need, wherever they’re from.
“We look forward to working with the Government on the policies and rules that will allow us to hire the skilled people vital to the continued success of British science and innovation.”
The ABPI has been calling for a UK immigration system which is fair, transparent and allows access to the best global talent.
Changing the rules about how companies can hire and move skilled people is particularly important for the pharmaceutical industry as it grapples with the evolving skills shortages it faces now and is likely to face in the future.
With 6,000 businesses in the life sciences sector competing for highly skilled scientists, research predicts there will be in excess of 31,000 more jobs that need to be filled by 2025.
The ABPI has also been pushing for a skills-based immigration system which enhances the ability of UK researchers and scientists to benefit from working and studying abroad, both EU and globally.
The pharmaceutical industry is a major investor in the UK economy, spending £4.3 billion on research and development and employing 63,000 people.
- Migration Advisory Committee
Last modified: 20 September 2023
Last reviewed: 20 September 2023
