5. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the education secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding any potential implications for Scottish universities and colleges of the Migration Advisory Committee’s “rapid review” of the graduate route visa, as announced by the United Kingdom Government. (S6O-03236)

Scotland needs an immigration system that supports our higher education sector to deliver the best learning, the best research and the best experience for students who choose to study and stay in Scotland. Along with Scotland’s university and college sectors, I am deeply concerned that restricting or scrapping the graduate route will deter talented graduates from staying in Scotland.

Since 2019, international students have contributed between £4 billion and £6 billion to the Scottish economy. The UK Government has stated that the intended purpose of the review is to confirm, among other things, that the visa can support pathways into high-quality jobs. Any curtailment of the graduate route has serious implications for Scotland’s university sector at a time when the UK Government’s decision to end dependents’ visas for postgraduate students has had a significant impact on demand from key international markets such as Nigeria, India and Pakistan.

Does the Minister agree that any change to the graduate route visa must ensure that it remains an attractive and competitive offer to those who wish to study here, and that the UK Government must ensure that Scotland and the UK remain open and that a warm welcome awaits international students?

I absolutely agree that we need international students and graduates to make their lives in Scotland. I share the member’s concern about the rapid review and the UK Government’s approach to international students generally, which is already having a serious impact on our university sector. I am therefore seeking to meet the

Migration Advisory Committee’s chair in the coming days, prior to which I hope to hear directly from those in the university and college sector on their concerns, so that I can try to ensure that Scotland’s needs are reflected in the rapid review.

International students play a vital cultural and economic role in Scotland. We should recognise and celebrate that.