EEF comments on Lords Science and Technology Committee report on overseas STEM students

Published:  11 April, 2014

Tim Thomas, head of employment and skills policy at EEF, comments on the publication of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report into international STEM students.

Commenting on the publication of the report, Tim Thomas, head of employment and skills policy at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, says:

“Today’s report adds further weight to our argument that the UK’s migration system is deterring international talent from studying STEM subjects in the UK. Government must stop burying its head in the sand and realise that current policy and rhetoric around student migration is sending a negative image of the UK to the rest of the world.

“Manufacturers remain dumbfounded at the cost and complexity of the migration system as well as the decision to abolish the post-study work route. We wholly support the Committee’s recommendations to tackle these issues head on including immediately reinstating the post-study work route and bringing costs in line with our international competitors.”

For further information please visit www.eef.org.uk