Business groups have joined university and business leaders to warn the government against watering down or scrapping the graduate visa route. In total, 17 leaders from Chambers of Commerce and business networks from across the UK have collectively written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Local signatories were:
- Sarah Springford, Chief Executive, Brighton Chamber of Commerce
- Christina Ewbank, Chief Executive, Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce
- Tracie Davey, Chief Executive, Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce
- Ana Christie, Chief Executive, Sussex Chamber of Commerce
The letter, which was coordinated by the University Alliance group of universities, including the University of Brighton, has also been signed by leaders from Universities UK and the Russell Group.
The letter has been sent ahead of the Migration Advisory Committee’s review of the graduate visa route set to be published on Tuesday 14 May. The signatories argue that if the government were to make any restrictions to the graduate visa route in response, it would have a ‘serious impact upon research and development capacity and return on government investment, besides causing damage to the wider economy.’
In Brighton & Hove alone, international students generate almost £200m for the local economy every year.
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