The Minister of State, Home Office ()
(Con):...We will continue to welcome international students who
want to study in our world-class universities across the United
Kingdom, and there will be no cap on their numbers. Those who apply
will be accepted, provided they are sponsored by an approved
educational institution, have the necessary academic qualifications
and English-language aptitude, and are able to support themselves
financially once in the United Kingdom. When they have finished
their studies, our new graduate route will allow them to stay in
the UK and work at any skill level for up to a further two years.
Let me also take this opportunity to reassure the House that the
immigration arrangements for members of the Armed
Forces, Musicians and
performers are completely unchanged and these routes will operate
as they do now...
(CB): My Lords, I do not understand when the
Minister says that Musiciansfor example, will be
treated exactly the same. If they are going to be treated as though
they are from non-EEA countries, it will be a massive change; it
will not be the same at all. The noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, was
absolutely right to mention reciprocity. Of course, what we will do
to the EU will be done to us. From the point of view of the
creative industries, which are so important culturally and
economically, it is hugely disappointing to see in paragraph 25 of
the policy statement:
“We will not be creating a dedicated route for self-employed
people.”
The effect on our own UK workers will be devastating if there is
not a dedicated route, unencumbered by the need for sponsorship
and allowing onward movement, among many other things, not only
in the arts and the creative industries but in the UK services
sector more widely, for which Europe is the major market.
: I take
the noble Earl’s point on board and I will try to get a fuller
answer on the creative industries, because I recognise the point
that both he and the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, make. As I was
on my feet, I was thinking that maybe it was because of the short
time for which performers might want to come to the UK. But I
will get a fuller answer for the two noble Lords and put a copy
in the Library.
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