Geological Society supports CaSE call for action on visa restrictions
8 March 2018
The Geological Society has today supported a letter to the Prime Minister published by the Campaign for Science and Engineering, calling on the government to take urgent action in revising current immigration policy.
Due to the cap on Tier 2 (General) visas being reached in each of the last three months, employers are unable to hire skilled workers from abroad. With two thirds of roles on the Shortage Occupation List in the fields of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine, hundreds of business-critical roles across the economy are going unfilled.
"Surely it is shooting ourselves in the foot to deny visas to engineering, tech and medical specialists recruited to the UK to fill a specific need’ said CaSE Executive Director Dr Sarah Main. “Yet this is now happening, alongside many other business-critical roles, leaving employers frustrated and the public poorly served.”
The letter calls on the government to take positive action in recognition that circumstances have significantly changed since the Tier 2 visa cap was introduced, and to exempt those roles which are on the Government’s Shortage Occupation List and PhD level roles.
The letter states ‘This change would enhance prospects for raising productivity, would support the Industrial Strategy and would be widely welcomed.’
It is supported by 46 organisations from across business, universities, professional institutes and research charities.
Supporting organisations:
|
Arthritis Research UK
|
Loughborough University
|
|
Association of Medical Research Charities
|
Microbiology Society
|
|
Babraham Institute
|
Prospect
|
|
BASF
|
Royal Astronomical Society
|
|
Biochemical Society
|
Royal Society of Biology
|
|
BioIndustry Association
|
Royal Society of Chemistry
|
|
British Chambers of Commerce
|
Royal Society of Edinburgh
|
|
British Heart Foundation
|
Society for Applied Microbiology
|
|
British Psychological Society
|
The Association for United Kingdom Interactive
|
|
British Society for Immunology
|
Entertainment
|
|
Cancer Research UK
|
The Entrepreneurs Network
|
|
Canterbury Christ Church University
|
The Geological Society
|
|
Council of Professors and Heads of Computing
|
The Institution of Mathematics and its
|
|
EEF
|
Applications
|
|
Food and Drink Federation
|
The Learned Society of Wales
|
|
Institute of Acoustics
|
The Manufacturing Technologies Association
|
|
Institute of Directors
|
The Physiological Society
|
|
Institute of Physics
|
UK Deans of Science
|
|
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
|
Ulster University
|
|
Institution of Environmental Sciences
|
University College London
|
|
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
|
University of Aberdeen
|
|
John Innes Centre
|
University of Kent
|
|
London First
|
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
|
|
London Metropolitan University
|
Zoological Society of London
|
ENDS
NOTES
- The letter and a press release from CaSE can be read at http://www.sciencecampaign.org.uk/news-media/press-releases/case-calls-on-pm-to-revise-visa-restrictions.html
- The Geological Society of London, founded 1807, is a learned and professional body of over 12,000 Earth scientists with a remit to investigate, interpret, discuss, inform and advise on the nature and processes of the Earth, their practical importance to humanity, and, in the interests of the public, to promote professional excellence. The Society offers advice to Parliament and Government, at individual and corporate levels. Registered Charity No. 210161.
- CaSE is the leading independent advocate for science and engineering. Find out more at www.sciencecampaign.org.uk
- For a more detailed CaSE comment on reforming the Tier 2 visa immigration system see here: http://www.sciencecampaign.org.uk/news-media/case-comment/cap-on-visas-for-skilled-jobs-doesnt-work-.html