London – The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has submitted two major policy reports to the UK government, offering key recommendations to strengthen student and labour mobility between the United Kingdom and India.
The two reports — “Connecting Skills, Creating Value: Strengthening Labour Mobility between UK and India” and “UK-India Student Mobility: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations” — are based on consultations with businesses and universities in both countries.
The submissions come at a crucial time. The UK’s Migration Advisory Committee is reviewing economic migration policies, and talks on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have concluded. UKIBC’s proposals aim to help build a modern, skills-focused mobility partnership that encourages economic growth, innovation, and deeper ties between the two nations.
Labour Mobility as a Key Growth Driver
The UKIBC sees labour mobility as essential for expanding UK-India collaboration. The Council suggests the following steps to create a more flexible and future-ready framework:
- Include a formal Skills Mobility Agreement within the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.
- Broaden and improve the Young Professionals Scheme.
- Allow greater flexibility in job roles and recognition of professional qualifications.
- Re-evaluate and simplify visa-related costs.
According to the UKIBC, these steps will make it easier for skilled professionals to move between the two countries, helping both economies meet their development goals.
Strengthening UK-India Student Mobility
The second report focuses on student mobility and highlights the vital role Indian students play in the UK’s education system and economy. It suggests practical measures to strengthen this area:
- Create a UK-India Qualifications Recognition Framework. This would involve agencies like Ofqual, UK ENIC, UGC, and AICTE.
- Expand current scholarship programmes such as Chevening and GREAT, and launch a joint UK-India scholarship initiative. Focus areas could include STEM, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and sustainability.
- Simplify the student visa process, especially the financial documentation required for Indian applicants.
- Extend scholarships to reach talented students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India.
The report stresses the need for a friendly and welcoming immigration policy that supports genuine international students. Maintaining this reputation, it says, is key to keeping the UK attractive to Indian students.
A Call for Modern Mobility Policies
Kishore Jayaraman, OBE, Interim CEO of UKIBC, highlighted the importance of student and professional exchanges in deepening UK-India ties.
“The movement of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs is vital to strengthening the UK-India relationship,” said Jayaraman. “Student mobility, in particular, has been a foundation of our partnership, contributing to academic success and long-term links.”
He urged both governments to preserve and expand opportunities like the Graduate Route, which allows international students to stay in the UK and work after graduation. “This is essential for attracting top talent from India,” he added.
Jayaraman also noted that easier professional mobility would support partnerships in innovation, green technology, and economic development. “Our reports are based on wide consultations and provide clear, practical advice for creating a balanced and ambitious mobility framework,” he said.
