Scots parties unite to condemn post-study visa decision

Scotland's political parties have united in condemnation after the UK government said there were "no plans" to bring back post-study visas.

The visas, which allowed international students to stay in Scotland to work after graduation, were axed in 2012.

MSPs from Holyrood's cross-party group jointly wrote to immigration minister James Brokenshire after the Scottish secretary ruled out their return.

The Scottish government has campaigned for a return of the visa.

Every political party at Holyrood supports bringing back the visas, and they were angered when Scottish secretary David Mundell said in a written statement at Westminster that there was "no intention" of allowing their return north of the border.

A Home office spokesman confirmed to BBC Scotland that there were "no plans" for reintroduction, adding that the system "undermined the UK's work migration routes and damaged the reputation of our education system".

'Ignoring best interests'

MSPs from each of Scotland's parties, including Conservative Liz Smith, signed a letter voicing "surprise and disappointment" at the decision.

Humza Yousaf, who chairs the cross-party steering group, said Mr Mundell's statement went against "the spirit of the Smith Commission", which had suggested Scotland could be given powers to bring back the visas.

He called on Mr Brokenshire to meet with the steering group "as a matter of urgency".

He said: "Representatives from across political parties, from academia, from businesses and from the trade union sector have expressed their surprise and disappointment at the apparent decision of the UK government to rule out a return of the post study work visa with no substantive consultation with either the Scottish government or major stakeholders.

"Scotland has different immigration needs to the rest the UK and by ruling out a return of the post study route the UK government is ignoring this and Scotland's best interests, as well as the recommendations of the Smith Commission."