Warning on '˜brain drain' of academic expertise

Brexit has created “significant uncertainty” for university staff and students, and the international success of the UK’s universities could be put at risk if the Government does not address concerns within the sector, according to the Commons education select committee.

In a new report analysing the impact of the UK leaving the EU on higher education, the committee warns that the rights of EU university staff to work and live in the UK must be guaranteed as soon as possible.

EU workers make up around 16 per cent of the UK’s university workforce, the report says, with the numbers growing by over 10,000 in the last six years.

But it notes that a recent survey showed that more than three-quarters of European academics at UK universities said they are likelier to consider leaving UK higher education due to the referendum result.

A spokesman from the University of York said: “We have over 400 EU staff, and over 1,000 EU students who have collectively made a tremendous contribution to York’s success.

“We want to continue recruiting the best academics and students from the EU and the rest of the world to our campus.”

Meanwhile, another poll of academics found that 53 per cent of non-UK nationals were actively looking to leave the UK. The Government must quickly resolve the issue of EU academics’ rights to live in the UK, the committee warns.

It says: “The Government has rightly identified the agreement of the rights of EU nationals as its first priority in the negotiations. However, we caution that a delay in confirming these rights will only intensify the current uncertainty for universities, and likely lead to a significant ‘brain drain’ in talented staff.”

The rights of EU nationals must be unilaterally guaranteed by government before the end of the year, if a reciprocal deal is not reached before then, it adds. The committee also calls for a new “easier” visa route for academics worldwide, with less bureaucracy, to help attract workers to the UK. In 2015/16, 5.6 per cent of students at UK institutions were from the EU, and a further 13.6 per cent were from non-EU countries, the report says. EU students generated an estimated £3.7bn for the UK economy in 2011/12.

It is important that universities are given enough notices of any changes to EU students’ migration status and their access to fees and loans, the committee said, so that they can plan ahead.

Last week, the Government confirmed EU students starting courses in autumn 2018 would still be eligible for the same loans and grants as UK students, and for the duration of their course. Committee chairman Neil 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.

“As we leave the EU we now have the opportunity to reform our immigration system to ensure we reap the full rewards of the ability of our universities to attract the brightest and best.”