Damaging impact of UK immigration cap

United Kingdom, 19th October: As per a committee of UK government business advisory, there are clear signs of damaging impact of UK immigration cap in the economy.

The recent cap on UK immigration will stifle the future of genetics laboratory following a resulting brain drain, the director of the laboratory has cautioned.

A large number of scientists from non EU areas are hired in Cambridgeshire’s Welcome Trust Sanger Institute located in Hinxton.

However, as per the new UK visa rules, only a handful of overseas scientists can qualify for UK immigration.

As a result, the pioneering research work in human genetic variation and its affects on cancer, Aids, malaria and flu will hang in a jeopardy following inability to hire experts from overseas.

The director of the institute, Professor Mike Stratton stated the Sanger’s ability to conduct research and development will be badly affected by the restrictions introduced to the UK immigration rules by the coalition government.

A temporary UK visa limit has been put into effect by the coalition government on all non-EU migrants limiting the total number of temporary UK immigrants to 24,100. This limit is valid till April next year when the UK government will impose a permanent annual limit on all non-EU migrants wanting to move to the UK.

In addition, the UK government has also imposed several restrictions on UK PBS(Points Based System).

Following introduction of annual cap on non-EU migrants coming to the UK, just four of the total 19 Sanger scientists having broadest category of UK work permit will get entitled to stay and work in the UK. Sanger needs to hire the best people from oversea in order to compete at the highest level internationally.

Moreover, its also being feared that the center might be overtaken by rivals in China or the US in the event of failing to attract talent from abroad, Professor Stratton added.

Several academic leaders have made repeated warnings suggesting that significant cuts likely to be revealed during Comprehensive Spending Review will result in triggering acute brain drain of scientists and researchers from some of the best research institutes and universities.