Russell Group calls for post-Brexit European visa

A post-Brexit visa to stop UK universities and businesses missing out on talent from Europe has been requested by the Russell Group.

The group, which represents 24 research-intensive universities, has urged the government to adopt its proposals for a European Skills Permit that would allow researchers and students from the European Economic Area to live and work in the UK for up to five years. Such people—who make up a quarter of Russell Group academics—will lose their automatic right to work in the UK after Brexit.

The call comes shortly after the Migration Advisory Committee told the government to keep international students in its migration figures in a report published on 11 September, adding to the pessimism over the UK’s ability to attract overseas talent.