Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on aligning immigration policy for researchers with the industrial strategy.

The government wants to ensure that immigration policy supports the UK’s science and innovation sectors, including the growth driving sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy.

The UK’s competitive visa system offers multiple routes to attract highly skilled R&D individuals at all career stages to the UK, including the Global Talent, Skilled Worker and Innovator Founder visa. The government is delivering Immigration White Paper commitments to enhance our targeted routes and make it easier for highly skilled global talent to come to the UK.