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UCU response to MPs' report on impact of Brexit on higher education

25 April 2017

UCU welcomes select committee report and calls for an end to uncertainty around overseas staff and students

Responding to the education select committee's report on the impact of Brexit on higher education, UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'I welcome this report into the impact of Brexit on higher education and hope that the government will now act to ensure the sector is not damaged as we begin to leave the EU.

'As well as removing international students from net migration figures, government must guarantee the rights of EU citizens currently working in the UK. Along with international  students, overseas staff make a huge contribution to UK society and I call on the government to end their uncertainty or risk damaging the UK's ability to attract staff and students from around the world.'

The select committee's report referenced a recent Comres survey for UCU which found that just over three-quarters (76%) of EU academics at UK universities said that in light of the referendum result, they were now more likely to consider leaving UK higher education.

The full report Exiting the EU: challenges and opportunities for higher education can be found here.

Last updated: 2 May 2017