Written evidence submitted by the City of Edinburgh Council

The Committee has invited evidence on the following issues:

1.  What impact has the closure of the Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) Visa had on:

(b)    Economic growth in Scotland?

              As per the Scottish Government Post Study Working Group March 2015 report, since the UK Government announced the closure of the post study work route in 2012, there has been a significant decline in international students enrolling in Scottish universities.

              Prior to the removal of the Tier 2 PSWV, in 2011 some 46,000 students were following up post study work opportunities in the UK; this had declined by almost 90% to 4,175 in 2013.              This has particularly affected Scotland as there tends to be a higher percentage of international students enrolled here than any other part of the UK – in the region of 20%. This demonstrates that Scotland’s education system continues to be a major draw for international students, but also of the negative economic effects felt by the removal of the PSWV.

              The closure of the PSWV is a loss to the Edinburgh economy not only the loss of these talented international workers, but to lose them to competitor cities and countries in the global race for talent. According to the University of Edinburgh, their international student population alone is some 42%- an international headcount that is higher than some of the world’s top universities, including MIT and Harvard – making a clear economic case.

              (c)     The ability of Scottish employers to find skilled staff?

              The feedback we receive from numerous employers is that they are looking for graduates with fundamental skills that they can build on with training tailored towards the work carried out by their company. By reducing the pool of skilled graduates and also making it harder to recruit them it is adding to the skills shortage within certain sectors. This impact will be felt for years to come. 

5.  How should any post study work scheme for international students in Scotland be structured?

              It is suggested that the Post Study Work Visas prior to 2012 which allowed               adequate time (2 years) for students to transition between education and               employment               is reinstated.               The Committee is also asked to take regional               economic skills needs into account which would allow better alignment               with local economies.

              This would support students to match into specific sectoral and employment               needs within different geographical areas, and also contribute financially               through fees and spend in               the local economies.  It also maintains a message               that Scotland is a welcoming nation in which to live, work and study.

Elaine Ballantyne

Head of External Relations and Investor Support

The City of Edinburgh Council

15 December 2015

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