UK ministers have unveiled proposals to facilitate work immigration into the tech and science sectors crucial to the Government’s industrial strategy aims. A written statement to parliament by Department of Trade minister Blair McDougall accompanied a simultaneous press release by the UK’s Departments of Business and Trade, Science and Technology and the Exchequer this month suggesting an array of measures to encourage those working in science and deep tech sectors.
The UK Government made the following promises to boost the UK’s growing AI, quantum, science and deep tech sectors and their ability to bring the talent they need to the UK.
- A referral route to fast-track sponsor licences will be launched for high growth and high potential global companies expanding into the UK supported by the Global Talent Taskforce or the Office for Investment.
- The Global Talent visa will be expanded to make it simpler and easier for those with a relevant academic or research appointment and those in industry to obtain their visa, “including those working in cutting edge industries.” This follows on a promise in last year’s Immigration White Paper to facilitate Global Talent visa applications from “top scientific and design talent.”
- Over £5 billion to be spent on a suite of support for scientific talent, including new funding from ARIA for top AI experts and the £54 million Global Talent Fund which recruits leading science and research talent to the UK.
- Doubling the resourcing of the UK’s Global Talent Taskforce, including bringing in specialist private sector head-hunting expertise, establishing new functions to support individuals to relocate and companies to set up UK offices quickly. This ‘concierge’ service for global talent will start by focussing on international AI talent.
- Providing new Government-funded scholarships for International Mathematical Olympiad gold medal winners.
