Westminster talks over post-study visa system

Scotland’s International Development Minister is to hold talks with the Government at Westminster after UK ministers rejected calls for a more flexible post-study work visa system for international students north of the border.

Alasdair Allan said UK Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill has agreed to an “urgent” meeting on the issue.

A House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry concluded earlier this year that the removal in 2012 of a scheme that allowed overseas graduates to work for two years after completing their studies had made Scotland a less attractive destination to study.

The committee’s report cited an 80% drop in non-EU students remaining in the UK after graduating and said change was necessary to address demographic challenges north of the border and fill skills gaps.

In a response published on Friday by Mr Goodwill, the UK Government said the previous system had been subject to “widespread abuse” which had “damaged the reputation of our education system”.

“Applying different immigration rules to different parts of the UK would complicate the immigration system, harming its integrity, and cause difficulties for employers with a presence in more than one part of the UK,” it concluded.

SNP MP Pete Wishart, who chairs the Scottish Affairs Committee, has said he is “extremely disappointed” by the response.

Dr Allan described the decision not to reconsider a post-study work visa as “mystifying”.

He said: “There is consensus in Scotland ... that we need a return of a post-study route to allow talented students to remain and contribute to the Scottish economy.”