Picture courtesy of BBC

 

PrSir Paul Nurse has raised concerns about the UK government’s current visa systems for science researchers, claiming that they hinder economic growth.peaking to BBC News, the Nobel laureate criticised high visa fees that are discouraging early-career researchers from pursuing opportunities in Britain, as rival nations, such as China and Singapore, roll out the welcome mat for global scientific talent. He warns that these policies are jeopardising the UK's scientific future at a critical time.

 

Sir Paul, newly appointed as President of the Royal Society, pointed out the onerous visa fees and immigration hurdles, suggesting they're illogical barriers to attracting skilled researchers who could bolster the UK economy. With the country's science base already at risk due to funding constraints, he argues for an overhaul of the system, critiquing the annual NHS surcharge and financial proof requirements for incoming scientists. The government currently uses visa fees to help fund the NHS and address public immigration concerns.

 

While the Centre for Policy Studies report 'Taking Back Control' emphasises reducing net migration, policy expert Karl Williams concurs with Sir Paul's view on targeted recruitment. Williams warns against relaxing migration rules broadly, arguing that recent immigration surges necessitate strict overall limits. He underscores the challenge of balancing sector-specific needs without escalating overall immigration rates, yet acknowledges the minimal impact increasing scientists' visas would have on total immigration numbers.

 

Williams highlights the lack of a robust framework for adjusting immigration numbers across different sectors, and emphasises the need for a balanced approach that could allow more scientists to enter without inflating migration figures. Official Home Office statistics reveal that in the last quarter, 323 employment visas were issued for positions in natural and social sciences—a relatively low number, emphasising the limited sector's impact.

 

As the discussion continues, Sir Paul and his supporters advocate for ministers to reassess immigration policies to ensure the UK remains a desirable destination for top scientific talent, crucial for driving innovation and economic advancement, reported the BBC.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Sir Paul Nurse criticises UK visa fees for deterring researchers.
• Rival countries like China and Singapore are attracting talent.
• Calls for immigration system reform to boost UK scientific prospects.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-12-05

 

 

 

 

 

Another Brexit benefit and of 'taking back control'.

They don't even need a visa.

 

Just turn up in a dinghy with all the doctors and engineers. Job done. 

13 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Just turn up in a dinghy

Diversity is strength ! never mind they can't speak a word of English,

doctors, nurses,engineers, rocket scientists they are for sure. 

This has nothing to do with illegal immigration, these are the people the UK need, entering the UK on employment visas. Needed because kids in the UK don't study STEM subjects, they'd rather be YooToobers, ThickTockers and effluentcers.

5 minutes ago, Stocky said:

these are the people the UK need,

Disagree entirely   these are cheap labour  brought in after decades of trying to get UK natives to accept increasing poor pay and conditions banker bailouts, austerity  covidiocy just the recent stuff. 

15 minutes ago, johng said:

Disagree entirely   these are cheap labour  brought in after decades of trying to get UK natives to accept increasing poor pay and conditions banker bailouts, austerity  covidiocy just the recent stuff. 

Did you read the the original article or simply the post you responded to?

 

I quote:

 

"Sir Paul Nurse has raised concerns about the UK government’s current visa systems for science researchers, claiming that they hinder economic growth. Speaking to BBC News, the Nobel laureate criticised high visa fees that are discouraging early-career researchers from pursuing opportunities in Britain, as rival nations, such as China and Singapore, roll out the welcome mat for global scientific talent. He warns that these policies are jeopardising the UK's scientific future at a critical time."

8 hours ago, johng said:

Disagree entirely   these are cheap labour  brought in after decades of trying to get UK natives to accept increasing poor pay and conditions banker bailouts, austerity  covidiocy just the recent stuff. 

Cheap labour? The people the article refers to need a salary of just over £40k to get a visa.

...and the clown parade goes on!

Rejecting Visa applications is a manifestation of white supremacy, perpetuating discrimination and inequality.

13 hours ago, Stocky said:

This has nothing to do with illegal immigration, these are the people the UK need, entering the UK on employment visas. Needed because kids in the UK don't study STEM subjects, they'd rather be YooToobers, ThickTockers and effluentcers.

The UK doesn't need any foreigners.

Better to spend the money to educate our own children!

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

The UK doesn't need any foreigners.

Better to spend the money to educate our own children!

You going to compel them to study maths! 

30 minutes ago, Stocky said:

You going to compel them to study maths! 

I loved maths at school, maths o level, additional maths o level, pure maths a level, applied maths a level ........

On 12/6/2025 at 8:29 AM, nick supreme said:

Rejecting Visa applications is a manifestation of white supremacy, perpetuating discrimination and inequality.

Total nonsense, it zero to do with anything you mentioned!😅

On 12/6/2025 at 8:29 AM, nick supreme said:

Rejecting Visa applications is a manifestation of white supremacy, perpetuating discrimination and inequality.

 

Don't forget to tell Thai immigration about this when they reject your LTR visa application due to lack of funds.

On 12/5/2025 at 7:08 PM, Stocky said:

This has nothing to do with illegal immigration, these are the people the UK need, entering the UK on employment visas. Needed because kids in the UK don't study STEM subjects, they'd rather be YooToobers, ThickTockers and effluentcers.

Can't tar them all with the same brush, there's too many of them.😁

It's the old story...

1 minute ago, Purdey said:

It's the old story...

I don't think they spoke English at that time...........🤫

We’re crying out for skilled workers — nurses from the Philippines being the perfect example — yet they’re forced to jump through endless hoops, pay huge fees, meet inflated salary thresholds, and navigate a visa system that feels deliberately obstructive.

 

These are people we desperately need, and we make it as painful as possible for them to come legally.

 

But then look at what happens in the Channel: people arriving illegally after passing through multiple safe countries, tossing documents away, and being accommodated at massive public expense.

 

The system is upside down — the most useful, qualified applicants get punished, while those who bypass every legal route seem to get prioritized.

 

If we’re going to talk about what’s “shooting the economy in the foot,” it’s this backwards setup.

 

Until the UK is willing to overhaul how it handles illegal entry — including looking seriously at withdrawing from the ECHR, so our own laws can actually be enforced — we’re going to keep rewarding the wrong behaviour and blocking the people we actually need.

 

Skilled migration shouldn’t be harder than illegal entry. Yet right now, it absolutely is.

On 12/5/2025 at 6:40 PM, JonnyF said:

They don't even need a visa.

 

Just turn up in a dinghy with all the doctors and engineers. Job done. 

Exactly! "We have dingy.  We don't need no stinking visas."

On 12/5/2025 at 11:40 AM, JonnyF said:

They don't even need a visa.

 

Just turn up in a dinghy with all the doctors and engineers. Job done. 

 

3 hours ago, connda said:

Exactly! "We have dingy.  We don't need no stinking visas."

An object lesson in missing the point.

On 12/5/2025 at 8:15 PM, philipsharpe said:

...and the clown parade goes on!

Absolutely Possibly In both the UK and the vast variety of these comments.