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Professor Sir Paul Nurse, one of the United Kingdom’s most eminent scientists, has criticized the government’s visa policies for scientific researchers, describing them as self-defeating. Speaking to BBC News, he highlighted how the high costs associated with visas are discouraging early-career researchers from coming to the UK, pushing them instead towards rival countries with more welcoming systems. While defenders of the current rules argue that the higher visa fees contribute to funding the NHS and address public concerns about immigration, Sir Paul warns that these measures jeopardize the future of British science.
Having recently assumed the role of President of the Royal Society, which represents the country’s foremost scientific community, Sir Paul expressed particular concern about how nations like China and Singapore are actively attracting international scientific talent. He questioned the rationale behind creating obstacles for those who could significantly boost the UK economy, stating, “Why do we put hurdles in the way of the people that are actually going to drive our economy? It makes zero sense.” He describes the UK’s scientific environment as fragile, citing a combination of steep visa fees, funding challenges, and restrictive immigration rules as factors that undermine its competitiveness.
A key issue highlighted by Sir Paul is the requirement for scientists to pay an annual NHS surcharge and prove they have several thousand pounds in savings before they can enter the country. Official Home Office guidelines clarify that the Immigration Health Surcharge helps cover healthcare costs linked to visas, and applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves without depending on public resources. Nevertheless, these requirements add financial and administrative burdens for international researchers, potentially deterring them from choosing the UK for their careers.
From a policy perspective, the Centre for Policy Studies, a centre-right think tank, advocates for reducing net migration to the “tens of thousands,” reflecting wider concerns over immigration levels. Karl Williams, a policy expert at the centre, shares some of Sir Paul’s concerns about the challenges faced by scientists, but emphasizes the importance of maintaining strict overall migration controls, especially following a recent surge in immigration between 2021 and 2024. Williams remarked, “If you say yes to one sector, then you start saying yes to other sectors, and you actually just recreate the problems of recent years.” According to Home Office data, just 323 people were issued work visas in natural and social sciences in the last quarter, and even doubling these numbers would have minimal impact on overall migration figures. However, Williams pointed out that there is currently no effective system in place to manage migration numbers in a way that prioritizes certain sectors like science
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