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More than 100 cross-sector signatures in support of Scottish Government policy.

More than 100 representatives of industry and academia have signed a statement in support of reintroducing a post study work visa to Scotland.

Signatures from representatives of organisations working in IT, software engineering, the offshore sector, green energy and recruitment companies, as well as several universities, have signed a statement supporting the principle of the visa, and calling on the UK Government to engage with the Scottish Government on this issue.

Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf yesterday called on the UK Government to take Scotland’s needs into account and deliver on the Smith Commission recommendation in this area.

Yesterday Mr Yousaf met Paul Blomfield MP, Chair of the Westminster All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Migration, in London, and discussed how the APPG on Migration and the Scottish Government can work together on this issue.

Earlier this month Mr Yousaf announced the launch of a Scottish Cross Party Steering Group, including representatives of all major political parties in Scotland, to work on reintroducing the route. He also wrote to James Brokenshire, UK Immigration Minister, again calling on him to take Scotland’s needs into account and deliver on the Smith Commission recommendation in this area, and drawing his attention to the cross party support this issue has in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Yousaf said yesterday:

"This statement of support, signed by over 100 representatives of industry and academia, shows how vital it is that a post study work visa is reintroduced. Added to backing from across the political spectrum there is near universal support for the reintroduction of post study work.

"Today I have met with Paul Blomfield MP, chair of the Westminster All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration, and we had a useful meeting sharing our experiences and discussing ways we can work together.

"Scotland’s needs are different to those in the rest of the UK. Scotland has a large, established migrant community and the Scottish Government welcomes the contribution new Scots are making to our economy and society.

"A post study work visa is an important lever for attracting the best international student talent, securing essential income streams, and allowing talented graduates to continue contributing to Scotland after their studies end.

"Once again, I am calling on the UK Government to take Scotland’s needs into account and deliver on the Smith Commission recommendation in this area."

Notes To Editors

Signatories who supported the statement:

I/We the undersigned agree with the principle of a post-study work visa for Scotland, in order to allow talented international graduates from Scottish institutions to make welcome contributions to our education institutions, businesses, economy, demography and communities. I/We call on the UK Government to fully engage with the Scottish Government on the reintroduction of the post-study work route in Scotland.

A full list of the 101 signatories is below:

*indicates support as an individual not as a representative of the organisation..

Read more about the launch of the Cross Party Steering Group here:http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Cross-party-steering-group-on-post-study-work-visa-199f.aspx

Read more about the work of the Post Study Work Working Group and its report herehttp://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Call-to-reinstate-post-study-work-visas-178c.aspx

The UK Tier 1 (Post-study Work) visa was abolished by the UK Government in April 2012. Prior to this Scotland pioneered the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme visa which enabled students from Scottish institutions to remain in Scotland for two years to work and gain further experience. This scheme ran from 2005 to 2008, when it was subsumed into the UK-wide Tier 1 (Post-study Work) visa.