As Trump attacks science funding, let’s declare Britain open for talent
British Airways flight landing at London City Airport (Alamy)
4 min read
Britain has long been a beacon for some of the world’s brightest minds.
In the 1930s, as authoritarian regimes tightened their grip across Europe, Imperial College London – with campuses in my constituency of Kensington and Bayswater – offered sanctuary. We welcomed refugee scientists like Ernst Chain who co-discovered penicillin and was awarded a Nobel laureate, with his work helping define Britain’s global leadership in science.
Today, as President Trump unleashes an unprecedented attack on universities and science funding, Britain must seize the opportunity to offer a home for innovation and ideas. Britain should be ready to welcome scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs with open arms by setting a new target of at least doubling the number of visas for global talent.
I believe the government should set a target for at least 10,000 Global Talent Visas a year
The recent white paper on immigration offers some hope. Although the headlines were dominated by measures to bring down net migration to more sustainable overall levels after the Tories lost control of the system, there was an important recognition that the global race for highly skilled people is accelerating.
It’s essential for Britain’s future prosperity for the messaging to be clear: we need a controlled immigration system with democratic consent, but that does not mean turning our backs to those who will help our country to thrive. That perception, however unintended, could deter exactly the kind of talent we need to attract. We cannot allow that to happen. A smart migration strategy must not only offer control and clamp down on abuse but actively project an open, confident Britain – one that remains a magnet for global talent, ideas and innovation. Only then will we remain competitive in the global race for growth.
The current system needs major reform if we are to take advantage of this geopolitical moment for our national interest. The Lords Science and Technology Committee has described the UK’s current system for attracting global talent as fragmented and needlessly difficult. Many businesses report to me their challenges in hiring and retaining staff that add immense value to their businesses and our community. High upfront fees, unclear criteria, and limited guidance are deterring exactly the kind of applicants we want.
Reform should start with the Global Talent Visa – a vital route for world-leading scientists, engineers and innovators. Despite its potential, it remains underpowered and underpromoted. Only 3,882 of these visas were awarded in 2024, a decline on the previous year. I believe the government should set a target for at least 10,000 Global Talent Visas a year, sending out a powerful message that Britain is open for business and open for talent.
The UK has already made strides in attracting global Stem talent to attract scientists fleeing the US, including 10-year research funding guarantees and fellowships from the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. These schemes are a good start, but the level of ambition must increase. It’s welcome that in fields like AI, the government have signalled their intent to make it easier for promising young talent to come and work here.
We also need to rethink our investor visa – not to revive a “pay-to-play” approach that under the Tories resulted in the Golden Visa scandal with serious corruption and national security concerns – but to create a credible route for genuine entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors like biotech and clean energy.
In my own constituency, the need is clear. London’s West London Tech Corridor is poised for exponential growth, but needs capital, talent and leadership. Imperial College London relies on international talent to stay globally competitive. Without it, we risk losing our edge.
The proposed UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme is a great example of such smart policy from the Prime Minister – bringing in young, skilled contributors through reciprocal, time-limited arrangements like those with Australia and Canada.
Now we must build on that momentum. A bold overhaul of the Global Talent and investor visa systems will send a clear message to the world: Britain is back.
Joe Powell is Labour MP for Kensington and Bayswater
