World’s top thinkers to get fast-track UK visas
BORIS Johnson will today set the country on its path to a bright Brexit future with new visa rules to attract the world’s top talent.
The Prime Minister will say Britain is open to gifted scientists and mathematicians and is committed to leading the way in groundbreaking research.
Mr Johnson’s new policy for the UK’s future economic success comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel told business leaders that Brexit was the perfect opportunity to invest in training British workers.
A fast-track “global talent” visa system will launch on February 20 to simplify entry for skilled researchers.
Yesterday Mr Johnson said: “The UK has a proud history of scientific discovery, but to lead the field and face the challenges of the future we need to continue to invest in talent and cutting-edge research.
“That is why as we leave the EU I want to send a message that the UK is open to the most talented minds in the world, and stand ready to support them to turn their ideas into reality.”
Downing Street said there will be no limit on the number of eligible scientists who want to use the visa rules.
The Prime Minister’s pledge to keep Britain at the forefront of scientific research was backed up with the announcement of a £300million, five-year package to boost innovation.
Funding for PhD students will also be doubled to £19million, a further £34million will fund research projects and £7million will go to institutes in Cambridge, Bristol and Edinburgh.
However businesses have warned
NEWLYWEDS killed on the plane shot down by Iran this month had changed their flights so they could collect these photos of their special day.
Niloufar Ebrahim, 34, and her groom Saeed Tahmasebi Khademasadi, 35, held a traditional wedding in Lahijan, Iran – where he was born – after a civil ceremony in the UK.
The bride’s sister Navaz said they caught Flight PS752 on January 8 after postponing their return to London for the pictures.
The Ukrainian International Airline flight to Kiev was accidentally shot down over Tehran by two Iranian military missiles, killing all 176 passengers and crew.
Last night a tearful Navaz said: “Niloufar was the sweetest heart, sister and friend I could ever ask for. Everyone loved her.
“She always cared for others more than caring for herself. She had a beautiful personality.” Navaz, who lives in Dallas, spoke to her there could be staff shortages if curbs are imposed on low-skilled workers moving to the UK after Brexit.
But Ms Patel insisted they must focus on recruiting British workers.
“They have been far too reliant on cheap labour from the EU and we want to end that.
“We think it is about time that businesses started to invest in people across the whole of the UK, that they join with us and our agenda to level up the skills, the infrastructure, the economic growth across all our regions, promote growth across the whole of the United Kingdom.” sister by phone just minutes before the Boeing 737 took off. She said: “We had a normal conversation. ‘Love you, we’re about to depart. We’ll let you know when we get there.’We said bye.
“Later I was checking my Facebook and I saw news that a Ukrainian airplane had crashed. I didn’t want to believe it was her flight.
“I asked my mum to read the flight number and she said ‘752’ and we were all screaming.” Her sister, who lived in Chiswick, west London, with her husband, had recently completed an MSc in occupational and business psychology.
Her cousin went to her graduation ceremony on January 17 at Kingston University London.
Saeed, an engineer for Laing O’Rourke, had been studying part-time for a PhD at Imperial College London. Colleagues paid tribute to his “warm and humble nature”.
The couple were introduced by a mutual friend two years ago and tied the knot in London last May.
Meanwhile a commemorative 50p coin will enter circulation on Friday when Britain leaves the EU.
Mr Johnson will also deliver a special address to the nation to mark the historic day, and Downing Street will be illuminated with a light display.
Union flags will line Parliament Square and the Mall, government buildings on Whitehall will be lit up in red, white and blue and a countdown clock will be projected on to Number 10’s black bricks from 10pm on Friday.