Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to review the immigration rules in relation to the medical research sector; and if he will make a statement.

The Government values the contribution which migrants makes to the medical research sector.

There are generous provisions for PhD-level occupations, which include medical researchers. These occupations have higher priority when allocating monthly places within the Tier 2 cap. We have also exempted these occupations from the £35,000 earnings threshold for settlement applications and exempted them from the Immigration Skills Charge.

The Government is committed to developing a future borders and immigration system that will cater for all sectors of the UK, including for those who make a very valuable contribution to our research sector.

Proposals in the White Paper published in December provide a platform for further discussion. The Home Office has launched engagement over 2019 with a wide range of stakeholders across the UK.