Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 5 December (HL474), what assessment they have made of the impact on recruitment of overseas research and development workers of the increase in the minimum salary to £38,700 for foreign workers.

My Department supports the Government’s aim of reducing net migration, whilst ensuring the UK maintains a competitive advantage in attracting international talent in research and development, as set out in the Science & Technology Framework.

The UK’s generous and points-based immigration offer enables talented scientists, researchers and innovators to come to the UK through a number of visa routes. Following the Home Secretary’s announcements on 5 December, my Department is working with the Home Office on the details of the policy of increasing the salary threshold for the skilled worker visa route, and will be undertaking assessments of its impacts.