Director Shuyeb Muquit Cited in UK Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee Letter

Following his participation in the UK Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee meeting earlier this year, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit was cited in the Committee’s letter to the Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Minister for Science. The letter outlines concerns about the UK’s visa and immigration policies for STEM talent, drawing on evidence from the Committee’s session.

Shuyeb shared findings from Fragomen’s research with the Royal Society, which show that upfront visa costs in the UK, including the Immigration Health Surcharge, are higher than in comparable countries and have risen sharply in recent years. He noted that these costs can deter international science and technology talent from choosing the UK as a destination.

During the session, he called for greater flexibility in the visa system to ease these financial pressures. His recommendations included spreading payments over time, lowering costs for high-demand roles and reassessing the health surcharge. The Committee’s letter echoes these concerns and urges the government to take action to keep the UK competitive in attracting STEM talent.

Read the full letter here.