MPs call for action to stop brain drain of EU’s academics
THE UK Government should be prepared to “unilaterally” guarantee the residency rights of thousands of university staff who come from elsewhere in the EU to stay in Britain, a crossparty group of MPs has urged.
At Cardiff University alone, EU nationals account for 17% of academic staff, 5% of students and 10% of research students.
A major report published today addresses deep concern about the danger to the higher education sector posed by Brexit.
The Commons education committee is calling for immediate action to reduce the uncertainty faced by students and staff. They also press the UK Government – which wants net migration to the UK brought down to the tens of thousands – to “remove overseas students from the net migration target”
The MPs warn: “The UK’s impending exit from the EU has created significant uncertainty as links between our universities and those on the continent run deep. If the Government does not address the specific concerns within the HE sector, there is a risk that Brexit will damage the international competitiveness and long-term success of our universities.”
Warning that the question of the residency rights of staff requires a “speedy resolution”, it says the UK Government should be prepared to “unilaterally” guarantee rights “before the end of 2017”.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Education Secretary Kirsty Williams gave her strong backing to the call, adding that EU students applying to study in Wales in the 2018–19 academic year will be eligible for fee loans and grants.
She said: “Our universities are central to our social and economic future, which value and celebrate links with Europe, and thrive through the diversity of the people who come to them. The Welsh Government wants to make sure Welsh universities continue to attract the best and brightest from across the European Union, despite the vote to leave.
“The Welsh Government has made it absolutely clear that the rights of EU nationals already living in Wales should be guaranteed immediately. We have also called upon the EU to give a reciprocal guarantee to UK citizens living in the EU.”
Ms Williams added: “I am delighted to announce that EU students applying for a place at Welsh universities for the 2018–19 academic year will be eligible for fee loans and grants. This decision not only provides welcome certainty for our universities and colleges regarding future funding, but also assures prospective EU students they will not have the terms of their funding changed should the UK leave the EU during their studies.”
During the MPs’ investigation, the committee was told:
More than three-quarters (76%) of EU academics at UK universities said that, due to the referendum result, they were now more likely to consider leaving UK higher education;
from 2007 to 2013, the UK contributed €5.4bn to the EU for research, development and innovation; over the same time, the UK received €8.8bn.
They report that the UK is the second-most popular destination in the world for international students – and the most popular destination for those from the European Economic Area.
Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Hywel Williams said: “The Tory Government clearly do not care about the damage their policy on foreign students is doing.”
Last week the UK Government confirmed that EU students coming to England will continue to “remain eligible for undergraduate, master’s, postgraduate and advanced learner financial support in academic year 2018 to 2019”
Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “We have been clear about our commitment to the UK’s world-class higher education sector.”