Skills priority not pay levels

Most British adults think the UK's immigration system should let academics into the country based on skills rather than how well they are paid, research suggests.

A poll on behalf of Universities UK indicated 80% of people think scientists, academics and support staff should be allowed to work in this country at any stage of their career.

In the survey, 87% of respondents said it was more important that the UK's immigration system attracts university staff who are highly skilled.

About 3% said it was more important for the immigration system to attract university staff who are highly paid.

Some 69% of respondents felt a points-based immigration system should be designed so scientists, academics and their support staff score highly.

Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents higher education establishments, said: "Technicians, researchers and language assistants are all vital in supporting both high-quality teaching and innovative research at our universities.

"These skilled roles are critical to the ongoing success of our universities.

"As the UK prepares to leave the EU, it is more vital than ever that the UK remains a world leader in science and research and continues to attract international talent at different stages of their careers - from support staff and technicians to Nobel Prize winners."

Mr Jarvis echoed previous calls for the salary threshold for foreign workers to be lowered from £30,000 to help avoid what was described as an acute skills shortage and said £21,000 would be fairer.