Javid seeks to ease concerns over lab technicians

With the UK government stepping back from plans for a £30,000 minimum-salary threshold for migrants, home secretary Sajid Javid has attempted to allay universities’ fears over the government’s approach to migration.

In October Javid suggested the government was minded to implement a £30,000 salary threshold, as recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee. But the long-awaited immigration white paper, published on 19 December, said instead it would “engage businesses and employers as to what salary threshold should be set”.

In Parliament yesterday the home secretary was asked by MPs from both sides of the house about the impact of a salary threshold on universities.