Chair and minister discuss post-study work schemes
26 February 2016
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Europe and International Development in the Scottish Government, met with Pete Wishart, Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee on Thursday 25 February 2016 to discuss how progress can be made on improving post-study work schemes for international students in Scotland.
- Report: Post-study work schemes
- Report: Post-study work schemes (PDF 692KB)
- Inquiry: Post-study work schemes
- Scottish Affairs Committee
The Scottish Affairs Committee recent report supported moves to relax visa restrictions and enable overseas students at Scottish universities to remain in the country to work after graduation, a move backed by Humza Yousaf and the Scottish Parliament's Devolution Committee.
A previous scheme allowing students to stay in the UK and work for up to two years was closed in 2012. Inquiries by the Scottish Affairs Committee and Devolution Committee both advocated reform and noted the specific challenges faced by Scotland that make current guidelines unworkable.
Discussions focus on cross-party consensus
With the UK Government yet to respond to the recommendations made in the Scottish Affairs Committee's report, discussions focused on how the cross-party consensus on the issue in Scotland could be taken forward so as to secure a positive response from the UK Government.
The attendees also expressed satisfaction with the response that proposals had received in the wider community, with representative from business, education and trade unions voicing approval.
Humza Yousaf said:
"It is vital that the UK immigration system meets Scotland's needs. Reports from committees at both Westminster and Holyrood have clearly made the case for the reconsideration of a post study work route in Scotland, and there is consensus amongst our political parties, and the business and education sectors on this issue. I hope that the UK Government will come to Scotland and meet with stakeholders to hear the case for the reintroduction of a post study work route."
Chair's comment
Pete Wishart, Chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee said:
"The responsibility for setting immigration policy lies with the UK government and we hope that the almost universal support in Scotland for reform on this issue is now apparent to them. I look forward to hearing their response to our report, and to the views of my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament, and hope that together we will be able to make progress on this issue.
In the discussion about the Fiscal Framework we have been challenged to grow our population and take on our demographic challenges. Allowing us to retain international students who we have educated to a high standard must surely be one of the ways that the UK Government can assist us in meeting that objective"
Further information
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