EDUCATION

Universities have urged the UK Government to give an immediate reassurance that the immigration status and rights of European Union (EU) nationals in Scotland will not change in future.

Almost a quarter of researchers in Scottish universities are from other EU countries, Universities Scotland said in a joint statement with the Scottish Government.

Universities welcomed a commitment by EU research commissioner Carlos Moedas that the UK will retain full access to EU research programmes like Horizon 2020 “until the end of the negotiations”.

They have called for a post-Brexit deal that allows Scotland to continue to play “a full role” in Europ e a n research p r ogrammes. They have also called for the reintroduction of the post-study work visa to ensure EU students can continue to work in Scotland if they lose their automatic right to remain when Brexit is completed.

The statement said: “The UKGovernment has stated that ‘there has been no change to the rights and status of EU nationals in the UK’ and we are seeking immediate reassurance that the immigration status and rights of EU nationals currently living in Scotland will not change in future.”

Professor Andrea Nolan, convener-elect of Universities Scotland and principal of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “We will keep working to secure solid assurances that the immigration status and rights ofEU nationals currently working and living in our institutions will not change in future.

“Our staff need and deserve that certainty, and Scottish higher education needs the ability to continue to attract and retain the best talent.”

EdinburghUniversity senior vice-principal Professor Charlie Jeffery said: “We are committed to maintaining our research and exchange partnerships across Europe and beyond.”