SCOTTISH secretary David Mundell has told MPs that if the pilot of a new post-study work visa scheme at four English universities is successful, he would “champion” the case for it being extended to Scotland.
SNP MPs, along with Universities Scotland and the Scottish Government, have criticised the pilot at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and Bath universities.
In evidence yesterday to Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee – as part of its inquiry into Scotland’s demography and the implications for devolution – immigration minister Robert Goodwill defended the way in which the universities were chosen for the initiative.
“The basis on which these institutions were chosen were based on those with consistently low levels of visa refusals. Obviously if successful, we would seek to extend it.”
Mundell said it was important that the pilot be seen to be successful before being rolled out across the UK.
Margaret Ferrier, SNP MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, said: “It looks like Scotland and other devolved nations have not been taken into account… It would have been nice to have had a university from Scotland, one in Wales, one in England and one in Northern Ireland.”
Mundell replied: “It was done on objective criteria. If the pilot is successful, then it will happen in Scotland and I will champion it happening in Scotland and I give that absolute undertaking.”
Inevitably in a debate involving immigration, the case of Kathryn, Gregg and Lachlan Brain was raised. Her visa was only granted after a seven-month battle with the Home Office.
Labour’s Ian Murray said he was happy for the family, but added: “If you’re going to provide flexibility for one family because they’re on the front of newspapers, I hope the immigration minister will reflect on the fact that he’s opened up the door now for some of my constituents.”
Goodwill said that generally speaking, if an MP gets involved, his department ensures that those situations are dealt with speedily and effectively.
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