University staff from EU countries should be guaranteed a right to stay and work in the UK after Brexit to avoid a “damaging brain drain”, says a report from MPs.
The education select committee wants urgent steps taken to end uncertainty over the future status of EU academics. The MPs also want overseas students to be taken out of migration figures.
Committee chairman Neil Carmichael said Brexit risks damaging universities’ “international competitiveness”.
About one in six academic staff in the UK is from EU countries.
The cross-party committee of MPs, investigating the potential impact of Brexit on the higher education sector, heard warnings about the negative impact if EU staff, worried about their future status, were poached by universities in other countries.
The report from MPs said their right to work and stay should be given unilaterally before the end of this year if there is no reciprocal deal with other EU countries
Mr Carmichael said: “Higher education in the UK is a world leader but Brexit risks damaging our international competitiveness and the long-term success of our universities.
“The government must act urgently to address the uncertainty over EU staff and avert the risk of a damaging brain drain of talent from our shores.” Read more
